News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man Fatally Shot by Nishnawbe Aski Police Service in Deer Lake First Nation

Case Number: 25-IFD-288   

Other News Releases Related to Case 25-IFD-288

SIU Investigating Police-Involved Death of Man in Deer Lake First Nation
SIU Updates Investigation into Police-Involved Death of Man in Deer Lake First Nation

Mississauga, ON (10 December, 2025) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Nishnawbe Aski Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the death of a 40-year-old man. On July 22, 2025, officers went to a residence in Deer Lake First Nation to take the man into custody on the strength of two arrest warrants. The man grabbed two knives and refused to drop them, going in and out of the home. The man eventually emerged from the home with two knives and his shirt on fire, running toward an officer. The officer fired five shots at the man. He collapsed and was pronounced deceased at the nursing station.

Director Martino was satisfied that the officer shot the man to protect himself from a reasonably apprehended knife attack.  

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.

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