Man armed with knife shot dead by police in northern Ontario court

[Michael Jack]

Lawyers who were in the court reported that an individual walked in between the defence counsel and judge’s tables, “took something out and the officer at that point said ‘drop it, drop it’ and then was shot.”

A man armed with a knife has been shot dead by police inside a courtroom in northern Ontario while court was in session, the Star has learned.

The incident happened Thursday at a fly-in court in the remote community of Wapekeka, said Karen Seeley, past president of the Kenora District Law Association and current northwest representative on the board of the Federation of Ontario Law Associations.

Lawyers who were present in court reported to Seeley that an individual walked into court between the defence counsel and judge’s tables, “took something out and the officer at that point said ‘drop it, drop it’ and then was shot,” Seeley told the Star.

In response to the Star’s questions, the Special Investigations Unit confirmed that preliminary information indicates the OPP fatally shot a man at the fly-in court. Spokesperson Kristy Denette said a team of investigators is on its way to Wapekeka, and a further update isn’t expected until Friday.

The OPP said in a statement that the incident happened at around noon on Thursday, but did not specify that it happened at court.

“Members of the Sioux Lookout Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) interacted with an individual armed with a knife on Wapekeka First Nation,” the OPP said.

“During the interaction, an officer discharged their firearm. As a result, the armed individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

The Ministry of the Attorney General did not immediately return a request for comment.

Ontario Court Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas told colleagues Thursday evening, in an email obtained by the Star, that she is convening an emergency meeting next week with the attorney general, solicitor general, and others “to convey, once again, the urgent need for significantly improved court security, including for fly-in courts.”

She said the judge, lawyers and court staff are physically safe.

“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the deceased, the Wapekeka First Nation and its members, and those who were in the courtroom today,” Nicklas wrote.

A fly-in court is a makeshift court set up in local buildings in remote communities, with the judges, lawyers and staff flying in from elsewhere. Seeley said she understands Thursday’s fly-in court in Wapekeka was being held in a youth centre.

Unlike in other parts of Ontario, there are no security measures like metal detectors at most courthouses in the northwest, Seeley said, other than an officer in the court.

“I am very shocked, I’m very saddened for the community and for everybody who was there,” Seeley said.

“This is a horrific experience to go through ... I think we need to look at the way in which we run our courts and to ensure everybody is safe. And by everyone I mean members of the community and those of us who travel in to attend these courts.”

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/man ... 58f52.html

[Michael Jack]

Ontario's police watchdog is investigating a report that an officer fatally shot a man inside a courtroom in a remote part of northern Ontario on Thursday.

Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for the Special Investigations Unit, said a team of investigators was heading to the scene in Wapekeka First Nation but more details wouldn't be available until Friday.

Ontario Provincial Police said late Thursday that an officer from its Sioux Lookout detachment shot an "individual armed with a knife on Wapekeka First Nation" around noon, but did not specify the location.

"As a result, the armed individual was pronounced deceased at the scene," OPP said in a news release.

Lawyer Karen Seeley said she heard about the shooting from colleagues who were present at what she described as a makeshift courtroom inside a community centre.

'Shocking' event

Seeley, a partner at a Dryden, Ont.-based law firm, said witnesses described a person who walked into court and pulled out what appeared to be a knife before an officer shot him.

"It was shocking," said Seeley, who has been practising law in northern Ontario for many years.

"Nothing like this has ever happened ... to my knowledge," she said, adding that her colleagues and the community are shaken.

The Wapekeka courthouse is described on its website as a fly-in location that provides a small number of court services on limited dates.

Seeley said that court, like many others in northern parts of the province, doesn't have metal detectors.

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[Michael Jack]

Ontario's police watchdog says it has launched an investigation after a 24-year-old man was shot dead by provincial police in a courtroom in the province's northwest.

The Special Investigations Unit says an Ontario Provincial Police officer was inside a temporary courtroom at the Youth Centre on the Wapekeka First Nation on Thursday at around noon when he was approached by a man with a knife.

The SIU says the officer and the man had an interaction, leading to the officer shooting his gun at the man.

Investigators say the man, whose name has not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The SIU says investigators have been assigned to the case and a post-mortem is scheduled for Sunday.

The unit urges anyone with information to contact the lead investigator.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 2, 2025.

https://www.notllocal.com/ontario-news/ ... m-11027770

https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/ont ... 0cfec.html

[Michael Jack]

The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on Wapekeka First Nation.

Preliminary information suggests the following:

- Around noon on July 31, 2025, an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was inside the Youth Centre, which serves as a courtroom, when he was approached by a man armed with a knife.

- An interaction ensued, and the officer discharged his firearm. The man was struck.

- The 24-year-old man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Three investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. The post-mortem is scheduled for Sunday. At this time, one subject official and one civilian OPP witness has been designated.

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 (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

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca

SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES

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[Michael Jack]

A First Nation community in northwestern Ontario has identified the man who was shot dead by provincial police in a courtroom last week.

Wapekeka First Nation says the community is mourning the death of 23-year-old Tyresse Kenny Padro Cree Roundsky, who died on July 31.

Shibogama First Nations Council, which counts the First Nation as a member, confirmed that he was shot in a temporary courtroom housed at a youth centre.

Wapekeka First Nation says he will be missed by his family, friends and primary caregiver.

The Special Investigations Unit is investigating the shooting, which they say happened after a police officer was approached by a man with a knife at the fly-in courtroom in the middle of the day.

Investigators say the man and the officer had an interaction before the officer shot his gun at the man who was pronounced dead on scene.

The SIU says a post-mortem exam was scheduled for Sunday, though the investigation is ongoing and further information has yet to be released.

Wapekeka First Nation said in a statement that funeral arrangements are being made for Roundsky and that a crisis worker is available for people who need support.

“His memories are alive in all of us,” the statement said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2025.

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