News Release

SIU Investigating Serious Injuries Suffered by Youth After Arrest in Toronto

Case Number: 23-TCI-045   

Mississauga, ON (14 February, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a 16-year-old boy suffered serious injuries following his arrest by Toronto Police Service officers.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • Last night (February 13, 2023) at about 7:40 p.m., officers were called to the area of Long Branch Avenue and Lake Promenade for a disturbance involving three youths.
  • Officers located one of the teens and while attempting to make an arrest, the boy and another youth swung a machete at an officer. There was a struggle and the teens fled.
  • Two youths were later located near Park Boulevard in Etobicoke and taken into custody overnight.
  • This morning, the boy complained of pain. He was taken to hospital and diagnosed with serious injuries.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must

  • consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
  • depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
  • publicly report the results of its investigations

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES