The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has concluded that there are no reasonable grounds to charge any officers of the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) with a criminal offence in regards to the firearm death of a 22-year-old Whitby man a couple of weeks ago.

The SIU assigned five investigators and three forensic investigators to probe the circumstances of this incident. The SIU photographed and made a digital video recording of the scene. Evidence was also collected from the scene. One officer was designated as a witness officer and interviewed by the SIU. Two civilian witnesses were interviewed.

The SIU investigation determined that on July 4, 2011 two DRPS officers were dispatched to Clune Place, Whitby to investigate Mr. Andre Hogg for a criminal matter. When the officers arrived they spoke with a woman at the home and learned that Mr. Hogg was in the basement. The officers began to descend the stairs to the basement. The baby’s grandmother was in the basement speaking to Mr. Hogg. Mr Hogg had his thirteen month old baby in his arms. The officers heard gunshots and they, along with the grandmother retreated outside. After a few minutes, the baby’s mother went into the home and emerged with her baby who had sustained a bullet wound. When the officers re-entered the basement, they discovered Mr. Hogg’s lifeless body. A 40 calibre handgun was found close to the body and two shell casings along with one live round was found near his feet. The officers’ guns had not been discharged.

Director Scott said, "The only reasonable conclusion from the investigation is that Mr. Hogg took his own life by means of a self-inflicted gunshot. Accordingly, there was no police involvement in Mr. Hogg’s death."