News Release

SIU Investigating After Peel Police Officer Discharged ARWEN at Man in Mississauga

Case Number: 21-OFI-400   

Mississauga, ON (24 November, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Peel Regional Police officer discharged an Anti Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 43-year-old man in Mississauga last night.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • After 11 p.m. on November 23, 2021, officers responded to the Mississauga Hospital for the man who was reportedly making threats in the emergency room. The man walked outside the hospital where he was struck with multiple ARWEN rounds and a Conducted Energy Weapon.
  • Paramedics took the man to another Mississauga hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. 

One subject official and two witness officials have been designated at this time. 

The SIU’s mandate was invoked because police officers discharged an ARWEN, which is classified as a firearm. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

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