SIU investigating after police fatally shoot 26-year-old man in Niagara Region

An SIU vehicle is seen in this undated photo.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate after a 26-year-old man was fatally shot by the police in Welland on Saturday night.

The civilian agency says at about 9:15 p.m. tactical members of the Niagara Regional Police Service responded to a home near Ontario Road and King Street to help with the arrest of a man who was wanted by Peel Regional Police.

According to the province’s police watchdog, that man fired a gun at police and officers “returned fire.”

“Officers deployed gas into the home and the man exited. There was further exchange of gunfire and the man was struck,” the SIU said in a release.

Paramedics provided medical care, it said, however the man was pronounced dead at the scene outside.

One officer was shot during the incident. He was taken to hospital and released, said the SIU, which is called in to investigate when police are involved in an incident that results in death, serious injury, sexual assault, and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

Domestic-related incident involving a gun

In a separate news release, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) said on Dec. 13 they were contacted by Peel Regional Police regarding a male suspect who was wanted in connection with a domestic-related incident involving a firearm that occurred in Mississauga the day before.

Niagara police said through continued investigation it was determined the suspect was at a residence in Welland.

“Out of an abundance of caution, additional police resources were deployed to the area to ensure public and officer safety. Following an interaction, an officer discharged their firearm, the man was then pronounced deceased,” NRPS said, noting that there is no ongoing risk to public safety.

Due to the officer-involved shooting, the SIU is now handling the case and no further information can be provided with regards to the circumstances around the shooting, they added.

The civilian agency has assigned four investigators and three forensic investigators to this case and an autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning.

Anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, is being urged to contact the SIU’s lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php, or Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.