News Release

The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding a shooting on Manitoulin Island today, resulting in the deaths of a police officer and a civilian.

The preliminary information indicates that at approximately 12:30 p.m. on November 19, 2020, an individual contacted the Ontario Provincial Police to report the presence of an unwanted man on a property in Gore Bay. Soon after arriving, officers encountered a man and an interaction ensued. As a result of that interaction, one officer sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The man, who also was shot, was transported to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Three investigators and two forensic investigators are en route to the scene. More information will be provided later today.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.