The investigation into a police-involved shooting in Timmins is ongoing, according to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
The Ontario agency is looking into the circumstances around the death of a 21-year-old man Saturday morning. SIU communications co-ordinator Monica Hudon said a post-mortem is scheduled for today.
The incident happened around 10:15 a.m. Feb. 3 when Timmins Police officers responded to a call to deal with a man at the Emergency Medical Services building on Algonquin Boulevard.
Officers followed the man when he tried to flee and there was an interaction between the man and officers, with one of the officers discharging a firearm, according to the preliminary information from the SIU.
“The man was struck. He was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead,” reads the news release.
Three investigators and three forensic investigators are assigned to the incident by the SIU.
The agency has designated seven witness officers and one subject officer.
Anyone with information about the incident should call the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. Video evidence can be uploaded through the SIU website here.
Hudon said it’s “difficult to determine a fixed timeline” for the investigation.
“Analysis of evidence, scheduling and completing interviews, and waiting for external reports from the Coroner or the Centre of Forensic Sciences are a few aspects that can affect the length of an investigation,” she said.
“I can tell you that the SIU recognizes the importance of resolving cases in a timely manner. However, the thoroughness of an investigation takes precedence over the length of time it takes to close an investigation. No case is presented to the Director for decision until the investigation is complete.”
The SIU is a civilian agency. It investigates incidents involving police when there is a death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
Under the Police Services Act, the SIU director must consider whether an officer committed a criminal offence; depending on evidence, lay a criminal charge or close the file without any charges; and report the investigation results to the Attorney General.
