UPDATE: SIU investigating fatal police shooting in Northumberland CountyThe province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has released preliminary details surrounding its investigation after a 43-year-old man was shot and killed during an interaction with OPP Tuesday (April 6) in Cramahe Township.
As reported earlier Tuesday, a portion of the County Road 25 area was closed following the incident. The SIU issued a release on its investigation later Tuesday evening.
“The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a 43-year-old man this morning in the Township of Cramahe,” reads the release.
The SIU said preliminary information suggests the following:•At about 10:15 a.m. on April 6, Ontario Provincial Police officers were dispatched to the area of County Road 25 and Tobacco Road after an individual reported that a man was sitting in his parked car and yelling at people.
•Soon after officers arrived and located the man; the man approached the officers and was in possession of a baseball bat. The man struck one of the cruisers.
•The man then got into his vehicle and drove towards the officers.
•Soon after, the man exited the vehicle again. An interaction ensued, and police deployed an Anti-Riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN) and Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW). When those proved to be ineffective, two officers discharged their firearms at the man.
•Despite attempts by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to treat the man at the scene, he succumbed to his injuries.
The SIU said three investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. Two subject officials and 12 witness officials have been designated.
A post-mortem examination was scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, in Kingston, read the release.
A SIU communications spokesperson said the family has asked the name of the deceased not be released, and the SIU is respecting their wishes.
“The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.”
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (including 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, the SIU states online.
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
No other details have been released by police or the SIU.
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