News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into OPP Officer’s Firearm Discharge on Walpole Island First Nation

Case Number: 25-PFP-084   

Other News Releases Related to Case 25-PFP-084

SIU Investigating Discharge of Police Firearm on Walpole Island First Nation

Mississauga, ON (27 June, 2025) ---
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer committed a criminal offence in connection with shooting his firearm at an SUV on Walpole Island First Nation. On March 2, 2025, police received a call about a male threatening people with a gun at a residence in the area of Dan Shab Road and Chiefs Road North. Lambton OPP officers responded, joining Walpole Island First Nations Police (WIFNP) officers. The man had fled in an SUV before police arrival. During a roadblock attempt, the man sped towards officers and the OPP officer fired two shots at the SUV. No one was injured.

Director Joseph Martino was satisfied that the officer, at the time he fired his weapon, did so believing it was necessary to protect another officer from a reasonably apprehended attack at the hands of the man.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):

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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES