Ottawa police officer fires anti-riot weapon at hospitalized man, Ontario SIU investigating
![Ontario SIU Special Investigations Unit. (File image)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2022/4/26/ontario-siu-1-5876622-1650987338574.jpg)
Ontario's police watchdog says it is investigating what led to the discharge of an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 26-year-old man in an Ottawa hospital Wednesday evening.
The man was apprehended by an Ontario Provincial Police officer under the Mental Health Act, and taken to the hospital on Tuesday, the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said in a news release Thursday.
On Wednesday, at around 7:30 p.m., hospital staff called Ottawa police, reporting that he became violent. When police arrived on scene, the SIU says, an officer fired his ARWEN in an attempt to get him under control.
The hospitalized man did not sustain any serious injuries, says the SIU.
"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," the SIU said in the release.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police officers that may have resulted in the use of a firearm, death, serious injury or sexual assault.
Under the SIU Act, the agency must publicly report the results of its investigations. It must also consider whether the officer "has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation," and "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."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.1652915.1706929185!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Convicted B.C. double murderer given full parole
A man convicted in the notorious double murder of two women in Tsawwassen in 1990 when he was a teenager has been granted full parole.
B.C. preparing for 'worst-case scenario' if landslide-caused dam in Chilcotin River gives way
The risk to communities along the Fraser and Chilcotin rivers if a dam created by a massive landslide is breached is uncertain but has the potential to be 'significant,' according to officials.
Costco's 'Apocalypse Dinner Kit' has a shelf life of 25 years. What is it?
Canadians looking to stock up on food for an emergency can order ready-made tubs from Costco online.
1 dead, several injured in Alberta tent collapse
One person was killed and others were hurt when an event tent collapsed on hundreds of people north Edmonton on Wednesday.
B.C. man spots bobcat while on his way to Starbucks
A few days after moving into his North Vancouver neighborhood Paul Wiens was enjoying one of the perks – cutting through the scenic BCMC trail on his way to grab a coffee at Starbucks – when he had an unexpected but "magical" encounter.
Liberal MP says she regrets 'distress' caused to witnesses who left meeting in tears
Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld fell short of an apology after instigating a fracas on Wednesday that led two witnesses testifying about violence against women to storm out of a parliamentary committee hearing.
Canadian-born captive and American journalist freed in prisoner swap with Russia
Canadian-born Paul Whelan and an honorary Canadian citizen were set free Thursday as the United States and Russia completed their largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history.
Summer McIntosh wins gold in 200-metre butterfly, sets Olympic record
Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh won her second Olympic gold medal in Paris with a victory in the women's 200-metre butterfly.
Italian Air Force performs flyover in Toronto
The red, white and green of Italy’s Air Force graced the skies above Toronto for the first time in nearly 40 years during a flyover Thursday.