News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Hamilton Shooting
Case Number: 09-OFI-031
Other News Releases Related to Case 09-OFI-031
The SIU assigned six investigators and three forensic investigators to probe the circumstances of the incident.
On February 12, 2009 two officers of the HPS were conducting a criminal investigation in regards to the activities of Mr. William Beckingham. They stopped Mr. Beckingham’s car on James Street. Both officers approached the car with their guns drawn. Mr. Beckingham grabbed a handgun that was in the car, exited with the handgun in his right hand, and started to flee on foot in a densely residential area in the late afternoon. The subject officer discharged his firearm and Mr. Beckingham was struck twice.
Director Scott said, “The subject officer had reasonable grounds to arrest Mr. Beckingham for criminal offences. Mr. Beckingham who had armed himself with a handgun began to flee through the residential area. Pursuant to ss 25(4) of the Criminal Code a police officer is justified in using lethal force if he/she is engaged in a lawful arrest, the person flees, and the officer believes on reasonable grounds that force is necessary for the purpose of protecting any other person from imminent death or grievous bodily harm. Here, the arrest was lawful, Mr. Beckingham fled, attempting to elude the police, with a firearm in his hand in circumstances where he was endangering everyone proximate to his location.â€Â
Director Scott concluded, “The subject officer had reasonable grounds to use lethal force in the circumstances of this incident.â€Â
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