Police watchdog probing death of man, serious injury of bystander in OPP gunfire incident
Ontario’s police watchdog the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate after a 26-year-old man being pursued by police died and an uninvolved 76-year-old bystander was seriously injured in a gunfire exchange involving Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers in northeastern Ontario, north of the Town of Latchford, Ont.
One suspect has died and a second is in custody following an incident near Latchford, Ont., Thursday evening, The province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate because someone was killed or injured during an interaction with police. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)On March 7 at about 5 p.m., OPP officers in Kirkland Lake conducted a traffic stop in the area of Government Road West and Woods Street to arrest two men for drug-related offences.
“The driver fled,” said SIU officials in a news release late Friday.
“Police attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle in the area of Highway 11 and Portage Bay Road, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.”
Police said the other occupant also fled the vehicle.
After the gunfire was exchanged one of the vehicle’s occupants, a 26-year-old man, was found dead.
OPP issued a shelter-in-place order for the town and the surrounding communities.
The other occupant of the vehicle fled on foot but was found by police and arrested without injury.
A bystander, a 76-year-old man and area resident who was not involved in the alleged crimes, was seriously injured.
“(He) remains in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” reads the release.
Highway 11 was closed from Portage Bay Road to Highway 11B while the initial investigation was taking place.
Police closed Highway 11 from Portage Bay Road to Highway 11B for investigation. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)The roadways fully reopened at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday evening.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
A post-mortem on the suspect who was killed in the gunfire exchange is scheduled for Monday.
The police watchdog has assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to the case.
The SIU is asking anyone who may have information about the incident to contact investigators at 1-800-787-8529 or submit evidence including statements, photos and/or video and other details online.
– With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalists Darren MacDonald and Eric Taschner
Residents along Highway 11 in the area of Coleman Township has seen an increased police police presence since Thursday. (Eric Taschner CTV News Northern Ontario)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7150242.1734543734!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Donald Trump says Canada becoming 51st U.S. state is 'a great idea.' Jean Charest calls the comment a 'wake-up call'
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is taking aim at Canada once more, saying it would be 'a great idea' to make it America's ‘51st state.'
'You're either with Beijing or you're with Washington': Ford says to Mexico in CNN interview
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has a message for Mexico as the threat of tariffs by incoming president Donald Trump hangs over both sides of the U.S. border.
There are 88 new Order of Canada appointees. Here's a look at some of the most notable names
Ryan Reynolds, Scott Oake and Maureen Ann Jennings are among the 88 new recipients of the Order of Canada.
NEW Here's how the cost of living challenges are shaking up Canadian seniors' retirement plans
With the high cost of living increasingly a concern, some seniors are making sacrifices to help their adult children and grandchildren make ends meet. Here are some of their stories.
Thousands of toddler step stools recalled after child's head gets stuck
Thousands of toddler step stools are being recalled after a child's head got stuck in one.
Iconic Halifax ship Theodore Too partially sunk at Ontario dock
An iconic ship that was a fixture in Halifax Harbour for 21 years has partially sunk in Ontario.
Brazilian judge orders Adele song removed over plagiarism claim
A judge in Rio de Janeiro has ordered the global removal of a 2015 song by British singer Adele due to a plagiarism claim by a Brazilian musician, which Universal Music is fighting on appeal.
After scamming their victims, some con artists go on to scam our courts with impunity
Convicts, including fraudsters, are skipping out on their court-ordered payments to their victims to the tune of tens of millions of dollars across the country, according to figures obtained by CTV W5.
Synagogue on Montreal's West Island targeted by alleged arson
A synagogue on Montreal's West Island was the target of an alleged arson attack.