News Release

Ottawa Man Succumbs to Injuries

Case Number: 07-OCD-201   

Other News Releases Related to Case 07-OCD-201

SIU Investigates Ottawa Custody Injury

TORONTO (4 October, 2007) --- At approximately 10:21 a.m. this morning, Carlos Alcantara-Gomez succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Ottawa Civic Hospital.

On October 3, 2007, Mr. Alcantara-Gomez fell from his second floor hospital room window and landed on a roof below. He was in police custody at the time of his fall. Mr. Alcantara-Gomez was in the hospital for back injuries after he was struck by an Ottawa Police Service cruiser on October 2, 2007.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is continuing to probe the nature and activity of the involved police officers in both incidents to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that they are criminally responsible for Mr. Alcantara-Gomez's serious injuries and subsequent death.

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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES