News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Discharge of ARWENs at Man in Gananoque

Case Number: 25-PFP-315   

Other News Releases Related to Case 25-PFP-315

SIU Concludes Investigation into ARWEN Discharges by Officers in Gananoque

Mississauga, ON (17 August, 2025) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the discharge of Anti-Riot Weapon Enfields (ARWENs) at a 42-year-old man on Friday in Gananoque.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 4:30 p.m. on August 15, 2025, officers with the Gananoque Police Service were dispatched to the area of Second Street and Victoria Avenue to investigate a disturbance in the neighborhood.
  • When officers arrived, a male person of interest had barricaded himself inside a residence. Officers contained the scene. OPP officers were dispatched to assist.
  • Shortly before midnight, OPP officers entered the residence and were encountered by the man who was armed with edged weapons.
  • Two officers discharged their ARWENs at the man, and a police canine dog was released.
  • The man was transported to hospital for treatment.
Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. 

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.

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