30-06-2025
SIU clears OPP officer in shooting investigation
The logo of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit is pictured in Toronto on Friday, April 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
The director of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe an 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.
The SIU report said that 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.
