There will be no criminal charges laid against a Durham Regional Police officer in connection with the shooting and death of a 47-year-old man from Ajax in December 2013, the Special Investigations Unit confirmed.
In a release issued Tuesday, the SIU said 47-year-old Michael MacIsaac left his home in Ajax unclothed, after a physical confrontation with his spouse and sister-in-law. This, along with MacIsaac's unclothed presence in the community prompted a number of police calls from neighbours.
Witnesses said MacIsaac was seen a short time later seen confronting motorists on Ajax's Dring Street, banging car windows and hoods. MacIsaac is reported to have confronted a woman as she exited her vehicle. Police say the woman went to enter her home, and MacIsaac picked up a patio table, and broke it on the front door of the home.
Officers arrived on the scene and MacIsaac approached one, holding a metal patio table leg, in what police say was a "threatening fashion."
Police say the officer ordered MacIsaac to stop and drop his weapon. When he refused and continued to approach the officer, MacIsaac was shot twice.
Officers administered first aid until paramedics were able to take MacIsaac to Rouge Valley Hospital. He was later airlifted to St. Michael's Hospital, but died the next day.
"In the final analysis, the subject officer was in the lawful discharge of his duties when he was confronted by Mr. MacIsaac, armed with a metal table leg approximately one metre in length who was not complying with commands to stop and drop his weapon," SIU director Tony Loparco said.
"The officer’s fear for his life seems a reasonable one to have harboured, as was his belief that lethal force was necessary to preserve himself," Loparco said.
"Accordingly, there are no reasonable grounds, in my view, to believe that the subject officer committed a criminal offence."
