News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Discharge of Less-Lethal Shotgun at Man in Toronto

Case Number: 22-TFI-246   

Other News Releases Related to Case 22-TFI-246

Firing of Less-Lethal Shotgun at Man by Police was Legally Justified; SIU Closes Toronto Investigation

Mississauga, ON (22 September, 2022) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Toronto Police Service (TPS) officer discharged a less-lethal shotgun at a 36-year-old man yesterday.  

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • On the afternoon of September 21, 2022, TPS received a 911 call regarding a person in distress at the Staples store located at 89 Yonge Street. 
  • Officers were dispatched to the scene where they located the man. An interaction ensued, and one officer discharged his less-lethal shotgun at the man.
  • The man was struck multiple times but did not sustain any serious injury. 

Two investigators have been assigned to the case. 

Even in cases of no serious injury or death, the Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019 dictates that the discharge of a firearm by an officer falls within the jurisdiction of the SIU. A less-lethal shotgun is classified as a firearm. Under the Act, a firearm is defined as a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php


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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES