The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an OPP officer shot a 30-year-old man with an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) yesterday.
Just after midnight on March 24, 2022, OPP officers attempted to arrest the man at a home in Severn Bridge as part of a drug trafficking investigation.
Responding officers spoke to the man to get him to exit the residence, but he refused. The SIU says officers entered the home and located the man armed with a knife.
One officer shot and struck the man with an ARWEN and he dropped the knife. The man then fell into medical distress due to a suspected drug overdose. Officers administered Narcan to the man and he was arrested. The male was treated and released from hospital yesterday.
One subject official and 11 witness officials have been designated at this time.
Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case.
The SIU’s mandate has been 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.
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