News Release

News Release

SIU Deems Use of Less-Lethal Launcher at Man in Ottawa Hospital to be Reasonable Tactic

Case Number: 24-OFP-301   

Other News Releases Related to Case 24-OFP-301

SIU Investigating Officer’s Discharge of ARWEN at Man in Ottawa Hospital

Mississauga, ON (7 November, 2024) ---
In the evening of July 10, 2024, Ottawa Police Service officers were dispatched to the mental health unit of Montfort Hospital. Staff had contacted police seeking assistance with a violent patient – a 26-year-old man. The man had cautions on police file for violence, and he was known to be proficient in martial arts. When officers opened a door to talk to the man, he rushed at the door. Officers were able to close the door and lock it. Shortly thereafter, the door was opened again, but this time an officer fired a round from his less-lethal launcher. Officers were able to subdue the man and handcuff him. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that an officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.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.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES