News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man Struck with Less-Lethal Firearm Discharges in Seaforth

Case Number: 24-PFP-543   

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

Mississauga, ON (17 April, 2025) ---
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the discharge of an Anti-riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 26-year-old man. On December 20, 2024, police were called to a home in Seaforth following a domestic disturbance. The man had armed himself with a knife and refused to exit. Tactics and Rescue Unit officers were deployed and breached the door to apprehend the man under the Mental Health Act.

The man officer fired his ARWEN twice, striking the man’s upper body. He dropped the knife and was taken into custody. The man was not seriously injured.

Director Joseph Martino concluded that due to the knife in the man’s possession, a direct physical engagement was effectively off the table. Rather, it made sense to attempt to temporarily incapacitate the man from a distance with less-lethal force. 

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES