The province’s police watchdog is currently investigating an incident where a police officer was shot during a mental health call in Oshawa. The shooting occurred near the intersection of Simcoe Street and Wentworth Street E, as reported by the Durham Regional Police Service. Authorities responded to a call about an armed individual at the location.
According to a news release from Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit on Sunday, officers were dispatched to a residence on Cedar Street to address a mental health concern at around 11 a.m. Upon arrival, they encountered a 27-year-old man wielding a knife. The individual did not possess a firearm.
An altercation took place, leading to one officer discharging their firearm multiple times, resulting in injuries to both the man and another police officer, as stated by the SIU. Both individuals are currently in stable condition, with the officer initially in critical condition being transported to a Toronto hospital, while the suspect received treatment for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Durham Region police disclosed on Monday that the 27-year-old man is facing charges of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon. He is being detained pending a bail hearing.
The Special Investigations Unit specializes in examining incidents involving severe injuries, fatalities, sexual assault allegations against police, and situations where officers use firearms against individuals.
Following the incident, Durham police reported heightened police presence in the vicinity of Simcoe Street, south of Highway 401. Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw expressed his concern for the injured officer in a social media post, emphasizing the risks officers encounter daily in the line of duty.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also shared a message on social media, offering prayers for the wounded officer’s recovery and acknowledging the sacrifices made by police officers across the province in safeguarding communities.