News Release

SIU Investigating After Officer Shoots Man with Less-Lethal Firearm in Huron County

Case Number: 24-PFP-543   

Mississauga, ON (21 December, 2024) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police officer shot a 26-year-old man with an Anti-riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) last night in Seaforth. He was not seriously injured.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 3:30 p.m., on December 20, officers were called in relation to a man in distress at a residence in Seaforth. 
  • Tactics and Rescue Unit officers and crisis negotiators responded and attempted to negotiate with the man. Officers entered the residence and located the man. A knife was believed to be involved.
  • One officer discharged an ARWEN twice at the man and he was apprehended under the Mental Health Act.
  • The man was taken to hospital where he was found to not have suffered any 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 (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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