13-05-2025
‘I think my gun went off': Manslaughter trial of Chatham-Kent OPP officer continues in superior court.
Const. Sean O'Rourke, 57, has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of manslaughter for the July 7, 2021 death of Nicholas Grieves, 24.
Grieves, and two other passengers, stole $40 in gas from the Dutton OnRoute around 4:30 a.m. before driving towards Windsor in the westbound lanes.
Scene of shooting
Scene of incident along Highway 401 in Chatham-Kent. (Source: SIU, via the Superior Court of Chatham)
O'Rourke and Sergeant Bradley Cook responded to the call and went straight to the 401 where they 'hid' under the Orford Road overpass.
Cook told the court Tuesday the officers had no intention to chase the car but planned to execute a 'tandem stop', using their cruisers.
It didn't take long – Cook said - until they say Grieves vehicle, 'driving normally' past them. It was not speeding, he testified.
They pulled out behind Grieves and followed him; O'Rourke in an 'subdued' – aka unmarked - Dodge Durango with Cook in a fully decaled SUV.
When Grieves attempted to pass a transport truck, O'Rourke was in his lane, blocking the path.
Cook told the court Grieves then tried to drive in-between the truck and cruiser so O'Rourke put on his emergency lights.
At that point, Grieves' car 'spun out' a full 360 degrees before crossing into the fast lane, over the rumble strips and into the water-filled center median.
Cook testified Grieves tried to get out of the ditch by revving the engine but got stuck.
He told the court he saw O'Rourke with his firearm pointed towards the car but did not hear a gunshot.
He did, however, hear O'Rourke say, 'I think my gun went off', before crossing in front of the car to the driver.
Both officers pulled Grieves out of the drivers seat and started CPR on the grassy hill. Paramedics would take over and rush him to hospital where Grieves was pronounced dead.
Cook described O'Rourke as 'calm' during the entire incident but 'shaken' afterwards when he was escorted back to the detachment.
The trial will continue Wednesday.
