News Release
SIU Concludes Fatal Shooting Investigation in Toronto
Case Number: 07-TFD-057
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Eight SIU investigators were assigned to probe the circumstances of the shooting. As part of the probe, investigators designated one subject and eight witness officers from the TPS. A total of 17 police and civilian witnesses were interviewed. Forensic identification technicians examined the subject officer's firearm and uniform, documented the shooting scene and collected evidentiary items including a meat cleaver, a barbeque fork and one cartridge case.
The SIU investigation determined that on March 28, 2007, at approximately 8:46 a.m., TPS officers were called to an apartment building at 3460 Keele Street to respond to a domestic dispute call. Mr. Iordache had started to hit his wife in an apartment and chased after her as she ran into the common hallway. He followed her back into the apartment and once inside, Mr. Iordache grabbed a meat cleaver and continued to attack his wife.
The first responding officer arrived at 8:49 a.m. and met witnesses in the building lobby; one of them told the officer that she thought Mr. Iordache was going to kill his wife and may be armed with a knife. The officer noticed fresh blood on the walls and doorframe outside the apartment and heard a woman crying. He entered the apartment and found Mr. and Mrs. Iordache in the living room. Mr. Iordache was holding a long two-pronged barbeque fork and Mrs. Iordache was crying and bleeding from her chest area.
The subject officer drew his gun and ordered Mr. Iordache to "drop the knife". He did not comply but instead rushed to his wife, grabbed her and started to stab her in the neck. The officer fired a single shot and struck Mr. Iordache in the chest. He let go of Mrs. Iordache and fell. Mrs. Iordache grabbed the barbeque fork and threw it to the floor.
The subject officer notified radio dispatch of the shooting at 8:51 a.m. and requested emergency medical assistance. By this time, additional officers had arrived and assisted Mr. and Mrs. Iordache. Mr. Iordache did not appear to have any vital signs. Paramedics transported him to hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:56 a.m. Mrs. Iordache was also transported to hospital where she was treated for puncture wounds to her neck, a deep cut to her hand and bruising and swelling.
Director Cornish concluded that virtually all of the physical, testimonial and documentary evidence indicated the officer was reacting to a rapidly developing situation where the danger of serious injury or death to Mrs. Iordache was obvious. He stated, "I believe that the subject officer had an honestly held belief that if he did not shoot, Mr. Iordache would have stabbed his wife and caused her grievous bodily harm or worse. Unfortunately, Mr. Iordache died as a result. Fortunately, Mrs. Iordache was saved from further injury."
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