Ontario police officer charged after shooting 18-year-old man in Orillia, Ont. last summer: SIU

An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer is facing several criminal charges after a shooting last summer that injured an 18-year-old man, said the province’s police watchdog.

The shooting took place on Aug. 20, 2022 in Orillia, Ont. around 4:15 a.m., after the officer began pursuit of a pickup truck driver, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said in a press release Monday.

The two occupants exited the vehicle and shortly after, the OPP constable shot one of the occupants, an 18-year-old man, who was transported to hospital with a serious injury, the report continued.

A previous report by the watchdog said the officer suspected the driver was impaired. The release said the officer tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled. The truck was involved in a collision with a street light and two other vehicles, said the SIU, in a parking lot at 600 Sundial Dr.

The OPP constable is facing various charges including criminal negligence causing bodily harm, careless use of firearm, assault causing bodily harm and assault using a weapon, the SIU said in a press release Monday.

The OPP constable is expected to appear in court in Orillia, Ont. on March 28.

“As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation,” the watchdog said in a news release.

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