Kirkland Lake police cleared in incident in which machete-wielding suspect was killed
A Kirkland Lake police officer who shot and killed a shirtless man who came at him with a machete acted in self-defence, an investigation into the incident has concluded.
The man was killed May 9 of this year in a school parking lot, according to the incident narrative from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which investigates when someone is injured during interactions with police in Ontario.
In his report, SIU director Joseph Martino said police responded to a call at 7:30 a.m. about a shirtless male carrying a machete in the area of École Secondaire Catholique on Duncan Avenue.
“Officers encountered the male in the school parking lot,” Martino said in his report.
“The male would not comply with officer demands to drop the knife. He was uttering incoherent remarks and approached the officers.”
At that point, police deployed a Taser, which worked at first, but when a probe lost contact, the man again came at police with the machete.
The suspect “would not comply with demands to drop the weapon,” the report said.
“The officer shot the male with his pistol. The male was transported to Blanche River Hospital in Kirkland Lake where he was pronounced deceased at 8:09 a.m.”
Video evidence reviewed as part of the investigation showed the man walking along Duncan Avenue South, carrying the 16-inch machete, wearing red boxer shorts and no shirt or shoes.
A photo of the 16-inch machete blade. It broke off from the handle when police fired two shots. (SIU photo)
He sat down on a curb near the school around 7:20 a.m. About seven minutes later, he is surrounded by four Ontario Provincial Police officers.
“The complainant was of unsound mind at the time,” the report said.
“He spoke incoherently and occasionally waved the machete above his head ... The plan was to ‘Taser’ the complainant, with lethal force at the ready in case it was needed.”
The man managed to “swat” the Taser probes off of him. A second Taser was fired and put the man on his back, but he was able to knock off one of the probes. He was Tasered a third time, but it was ineffective.
At that point, the man stood up, machete in his hand, and began walking toward two police officers.
“The officers continued to direct the complainant to drop the weapon,” the report said.
“As he neared to within two to three metres of (police), the officer fired his gun twice in quick succession. One of the bullets struck the machete and broke off the blade from the handle. The other pierced the complainant’s upper right chest.”
Conducted energy weapons, commonly known as a Taser, were fired three times but failed to stop the suspect. (SIU photo)
He kept walking until taken down by police. He was taken away by ambulance and pronounced dead at 8 a.m.
In his decision, Martino said police acted reasonably considering the circumstances to deal with an impending threat.
“Withdrawal or retreat were not viable alternatives given the speed with which events unfolded and the presence of third parties in the area, including the anticipated arrival of school-goers,” his report said.
“There is no basis for proceeding with charges against the officer. The file is closed.”
Read the full report here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New Pentagon report on UFOs includes hundreds of new incidents but no evidence of aliens
The Pentagon's latest report on UFOs has revealed hundreds of new reports of unidentified and unexplained aerial phenomena but no indications suggesting an extraterrestrial origin.
Police release bodycam video of officer-involved incident at Hindu temple protest in Brampton, Ont.
Police say an officer who forcefully removed a 'weapon' from a protester outside of a Hindu temple in Brampton was acting 'within the lawful execution of his duties' after bystander video of the incident circulated widely online.
Here's how a potential Canada Post strike may affect Canadians
A disruption in Canada Post services would hit some Canadians harder than others. As the deadline approaches for a potential strike at midnight Friday, CTVNews.ca asked readers how it would affect them and how they are preparing.
RCMP begins deploying body-worn cameras to frontline officers across Canada
Within days, thousands of frontline RCMP officers will be starting their shifts equipped with a body-worn camera, as the national police force begins deploying the program across Canada.
'Countless lives were at risk:' 8 charged, including teen wanted in deadly home invasion, after West Queen West gun battle
A teenage boy arrested along with more than 20 others following a gun battle in Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood was wanted in connection with a deadly home invasion in Etobicoke back in April, Toronto police say.
Scotiabank users facing 'intermittent' access to banking
Scotiabank users say they are having issues using their bank’s services following a scheduled maintenance period that ended days ago.
Everything is under US$20 at Amazon's newest store
Amazon is targeting retail rivals Shein, Temu and TikTok Shop with a new deeply discounted storefront that sells a wide array of products for US$20 or less.
W5 Investigates Car security investigation: How W5 'stole' a car using a device we ordered online
In part two of a three-part series into how thieves are able to drive off with modern vehicles so easily, CTV W5 correspondent Jon Woodward uses a device flagged by police to easily clone a car key.
Many long COVID patients adjust to slim recovery odds as world moves on
There are certain phrases that Wachuka Gichohi finds difficult to hear after enduring four years of living with long COVID, marked by debilitating fatigue, pain, panic attacks and other symptoms so severe she feared she would die overnight.