News Release
SIU Concludes Whitby Firearm Death Investigation
Case Number: 11-OCD-124
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."
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