The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer fired an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 66-year-old man in the Picton area Sunday.
Preliminary information suggests the following:
- At approximately 11 a.m. on July 23, 2023, police were called about the man after he was reportedly shooting a firearm on a property in the area of County Road 5 and County Road 6.
- Officers were dispatched, and they located the man armed with a gun.
- An officer discharged an ARWEN at the man, striking him twice. A police service dog was also deployed.
- The man was arrested and taken to hospital. The man did not suffer any serious injuries.
The SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer 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.
One subject official and four witness officials have been designated at this time.
Anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, is asked to to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php
The SIU investigates police-involved incidents where there is death, injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
