SIU clears Halton officer of any wrong-doing in June shooting

Ontario’s police watchdog has cleared a Halton officer of any wrongdoing following a shooting that occurred in Burlington in June.

The report, which was released Thursday afternoon, recounts the details as they happened prior to the shooting and ultimately concludes that “[the officers] decision to resort to gunfire, lastly, constituted reasonable force.”

“There is no basis for proceeding with charges in this case. The file is closed,” writes Joseph Martino, a director with the Special Investigation Unit.

READ MORE: SIU investigating overnight police shooting in Burlington

On June 27, 2023 at 5 p.m. paramedics were called to a residence near Dynes Road and Prospect Street in Burlington after a man had fallen and injured his head.

Security at the location were able to help the man back to his room, but his roommate insisted on an ambulance coming and treating his injuries

Once paramedics arrived, they were confronted by the man who had hit his head.

The paramedics, noticing weapons in the room, exited the scene and notified police.

Police arrived at 7:15 p.m. where a standoff ensued. The document highlights details about how the man rejected all requests made by authorities to exit the premise.

“He made it clear he had a gun and would shoot officers if they entered his residence,” reads the report.

This went on for several hours until around 9:27 p.m. when the man began opening the door and pointing what appeared to be a firearm towards officers before returning inside.

“At about 9:34 p.m., as he had done the time before, the Complainant emerged partially past the threshold of the door. His face close to the door frame, the Complainant extended his left arm in the direction of the officers holding what looked like a gun,” reads the document.

“The SO (Subject Official) took aim with his C8 rifle and fired a single shot.”

Following the singular gunshot, the man retreated inside.

Witnesses officers at the scene recount being able to hear him groan in pain.

At 10:19 p.m., Hamilton police’s emergency response unit entered the unit and the complainant was secured.

It was later confirmed that the weapon was a pellet gun.

The report mentions that the paramedics and the affected man’s roommate had both shared this information with officers upon their arrival, but given the close resemblance to a real firearm, officers remained within their right to attempt an arrest for “pointing a firearm.”