News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Discharge of Police Firearm in North York

Case Number: 23-TFP-316   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-TFP-316

SIU Charges Police Officer in Relation to Discharge of Firearm at Man in North York

Mississauga, ON (10 August, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the firearm discharge by a police officer yesterday in North York.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 5 a.m. on August 9, 2023, Toronto Police Service officers were dispatched to an address in North York for a report of a break and enter and a vehicle theft.
  • The stolen vehicle, as long as other stolen vehicles, was tracked to a plaza on Underhill Drive.
  • Two of the vehicles, including the vehicle initially reported as stolen, left the scene.
  • At the plaza location, there was an interaction with one of the remaining vehicles, and an officer discharged his firearm at the vehicle.

At this time, it is not known whether anyone was injured as a result of the firearm discharge. Despite this, the SIU has invoked its mandate as per Section 16 of the Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019, which provides that police firearm discharges fall within the Unit’s jurisdiction even where they do not result in injury.  

Three investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. 

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 is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as 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