Ontario's Special Investigations Unit are on scene investigating a police chase that ended with an officer firing his gun near Orford Road in the westbound lane of Hwy. 401, on July 7, 2021. (Photo by Millar Hill)Ontario's Special Investigations Unit are on scene investigating a police chase that ended with an officer firing his gun near Orford Road in the westbound lane of Hwy. 401, on July 7, 2021. (Photo by Millar Hill)
Chatham

SIU investigating shooting by OPP on Hwy 401 in Chatham-Kent

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the death of a man in Chatham-Kent after a police chase that ended with an officer firing his gun.

The SIU said in a statement that an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was investigating a report of a gas theft at around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday and had been following a suspect vehicle in the westbound lanes of the Highway 401 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it rolled into the ditch.

The officer then discharged his pistol during an "interaction" with a male occupant of the vehicle that had crashed. The male was then taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The westbound Hwy. 401 was also shut down at Orford Road around 5 a.m. as a result of the police investigation into the pursuit and the shooting. The highway was reopened around 12 hours later.

The SIU is asking anyone who may have information about the incident to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also asking 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 police officers that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians.

Witnesses can make statements using this form.

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