The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Joseph Martino, has determined a London Police Service officer did not commit a criminal offence in the shooting of a man in July.
London police were called to a residence on Dufferin Avenue following a 911 call on July 27, 2021. The call reported a domestic disturbance possibly involving weapons. When officers arrived, a 40-year-old man exited the home with a knife taped to each of his wrists.
Police say the man ignored repeated commands for him to drop the weapons and continued to resist after officers used tasers to de-escalate the situation.
During the incident, the man was shot twice. He suffered gunshot wounds to the right upper thigh and left hand.
He was then transported to hospital where he was treated and released.
Martino concluded that the officer's use of gunfire was a reasonable use of force. "In the circumstances, it would appear there was very little else the [officer] could have done other than discharge his firearm at the [man] if he was going to prevent a potentially lethal attack," said the director.
The SIU has ruled there is no reason to proceed with criminal charges against the responding officers and that the file has been closed.
