News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating ARWEN Discharge at Man in Markham

Case Number: 21-OFI-308   

Other News Releases Related to Case 21-OFI-308

No Charges Against York Police Officer After Discharge of ARWEN, Man Seriously Injured During Arrest in Markham

Mississauga, ON (16 September, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the discharge of an ARWEN tonight by a York Regional Police officer in Markham.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 6:34 p.m. on September 16, 2021, the York Regional Police were acting on a warrant to enter an apartment on Inverlochy Boulevard to arrest a 35-year-old man.
  • There was an interaction, and one officer discharged an Anti Riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN) at the man.
  • He was taken to hospital for assessment.
While it is not yet known if the man sustained any serious injury, the SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged an ARWEN which is classified as a firearm. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

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