The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the discharge of an anti-riot weapon (ARWEN) tonight by a York Regional Police officer in Markham.
At approximately 6:34 p.m. on Sept. 16, York Regional Police were acting on a warrant to enter an apartment on Inverlochy Boulevard to arrest a 35-year-old man, according to an SIU news release.
Preliminary information suggests during an interaction, an officer discharged an Anti Riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN) at a man who was taken to hospital for assessment.
It's not clear if any serious injury occurred, the SIU stated, however, the agency's mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged an ARWEN, which is classified as a firearm. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.
The SIU is asking anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
