No charges after Ottawa police officer shoots a man armed with a sword. SIU says
Ontario’s police watchdog has cleared an Ottawa police officer of wrongdoing in a shooting incident this spring.
The Special Investigations Unit launched an investigation into a police-involved shooting on April 4, resulting in serious injuries to a 28-year-old man.
The SIU said officers were called to the area of Montreal Road and Ogilvie Road on April 4 after an individual called 911 to report a man was walking around in possession of a sword.
The SIU said officers located the person of interest, an interaction ensued, “and one officer discharged his firearm at the man.”
The man was treated in hospital for serious injuries.
On Friday, the SIU announced there will be no charges in relation to the shooting. SIU Director Joseph Martino concluded there are “no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the shooting.”
The SIU said the 28-year-old victim declined to be interviewed as part of the investigation.
In the report, the SIU said at one point during the interaction, the victim was swinging his sword forcefully at the driver’s door of an officer’s cruiser, “who was fortune to have escaped injury when the blow failed to break the window.”
The report noted officers also reported the individual was swinging the knife and refused to drop it.
The SIU report added less than a minute after the subject officer (SO) exited his cruiser, “the complainant (victim) turned and began to run in his direction.”
“The parties were separated by about 15 to 20 metres at this point. The officer yelled at the complainant not to ‘do it’ and to ‘stop’ as he backtracked several metres in a southeast direction toward the entrance of the Popeyes,” said the SIU on the incident narrative.
“When the Complainant neared to within two to three metres of the officer, the SO discharged his firearm four times in quick succession.”
In its decision, Martino said, “I am satisfied that (subject officer) did not fire his gun other than as a last resort and in the reasonable belief that it was necessary to do so to protect himself from an imminent risk of grievous bodily harm or death.
“There can be no doubt that the officer was confronted with a potentially lethal weapon in the hands of a man willing and able to use it.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.