SIU clears officer in fatal shooting of 49-year-old man under Rainbow Bridge this winter
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has concluded there are no grounds to charge an officer after a 49-year-old man was fatally shot by Niagara Parks police in February.
The SIU Director’s Report says Niagara Parks Police Service officers were called to 5920 River Road, an area under the Rainbow Bridge, twice on Feb. 28 for reports that a man was harassing pedestrians.
During the first interaction, the report says, officers attended the scene in the early afternoon along with an employee from the Canadian Mental Health Association – Niagara, assigned as a crisis worker to the NRPS Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team.
At that time, the report says, officers agreed “the best course was to de-escalate the situation by removing themselves.”
Just after 2 p.m., two officers responded again to the area for reports of the man harassing passersby. They said they were asked by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission to remove the man from the property.
SIU investigators say a “confrontation ensued” between the officers and the man, in which the man allegedly discharged pepper spray at the officers while armed with a knife. It was at this time, they say, that an officer discharged their weapon at the man.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 2:31 p.m. Following the incident, two officers attended a local hospital for minor injuries.
At 2:56 p.m., the SIU says, they were notified of the firearm-related death.
The SIU Director’s Report into the case says the officer who shot the man declined to be interviewed, “as is their legal right,” but provided notes to investigators.
Seven civilians and five officials who witnessed the incident were interviewed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.