SIU charges 3 OPP officers in fatal shooting of child in 2020

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) have charged three Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers in the shooting death of a one-year-old boy back in 2020.

On Nov. 26, 2020, SIU says the officers shot at the boy’s father in his car in Kawartha Lakes after he allegedly abducted his child.

The child was identified as 18-month-old Jameson Shapiro. He died that day while the father died of gunshot wounds a week later.

Nathan Vanderheyden, Kenneth Pengelly and Grason Cappus have each been charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of criminal negligence causing death.

“On November 26, 2020, a family suffered the tremendous loss of their child, and the Ontario Provincial Police extends to them our deepest sympathies. Our mission is to protect our citizens, uphold the law and preserve public safety. When a tragedy such as this occurs, it affects the families, the community and our whole service. It is devastating when an innocent life is lost during an incident,” said OPP Commissioner, Thomas Carrique, in a statement. “We thank members of the public who awaited the findings of the SIU, rather than speculating on what occurred. We respect the mandate and responsibilities of the SIU and will not comment further as this matter proceeds through the appropriate court processes.”