News Release

SIU Investigates Shooting in Toronto

Case Number: 08-TFD-036   

TORONTO (8 March, 2008) --- The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has assigned a team of Investigators and Forensic Investigators to probe a police shooting that occurred early this morning, involving an officer from the Toronto Police Service (TPS).

At approximately 3:50 a.m. this morning, an officer, on patrol, heard an alarm from the pharmacy located at the intersection of Garden Ave. and Roncessvalles Ave., in Toronto.

The officer found that the pharmacy had been entered and went inside. The officer located a male. The officer became involved in a confrontation with the male. At approximately 3:52 a.m. a shot was fired from the officers' pistol and the man was struck. He suffered a fatal wound and died at St. Joseph's Hospital.

The man's identity is not confirmed at this time.

The SIU is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-1925 or 1-800-787-8529.

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

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