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
BREAKING 4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man arrested after allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Toronto police say a man has been taken into custody after he was allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's mansion in Bridle Path Saturday afternoon.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest finally got down to musical business Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.