News Release

SIU Lays Criminal Negligence Charge against Barrie Police Service Officer in Relation to Shooting Incident

Case Number: 18-OFI-277   

Other News Releases Related to Case 18-OFI-277

SIU Investigating Discharge of Firearm by Barrie Police Service Officer

Mississauga, ON (15 January, 2019) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Tony Loparco, has reasonable grounds to believe a Barrie Police Service (BPS) officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the injury sustained by a 21-year-old man in September of 2018. Director Loparco has caused a charge to be laid against the officer.  

The SIU investigation determined that on the early morning of September 17, 2018, officers with the Barrie Police Service located persons of interest at a gas station on the corner of St. Vincent Street and Grove Street East. The persons of interest – two men and two women – fled the scene in a vehicle. As the vehicle passed one of the officers, the officer discharged his firearm at the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a tree a short time later, and the four vehicle occupants fled on foot. Three of the individuals were located and arrested. On October 10, 2018, the fourth individual was arrested by Toronto Police Service officers and it was discovered that he had sustained a gunshot wound.

As a result of the SIU investigation, BPS Sergeant Michael Chytuk has been charged with one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, contrary to s. 221 of the Criminal Code.

The officer is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 75 Mulcaster Street in Barrie on February 4, 2019. 

The matter is now properly before the courts. In consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.  

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

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