SIU Concludes Investigation into Man Fatally Shot by Nishnawbe Aski Police Service in Deer Lake First Nation
Press Release
Mississauga, ON (10 December, 2025) —
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Nishnawbe Aski Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the death of a 40-year-old man. On July 22, 2025, officers went to a residence in Deer Lake First Nation to take the man into custody on the strength of two arrest warrants. The man grabbed two knives and refused to drop them, going in and out of the home. The man eventually emerged from the home with two knives and his shirt on fire, running toward an officer. The officer fired five shots at the man. He collapsed and was pronounced deceased at the nursing station.
Director Martino was satisfied that the officer shot the man to protect himself from a reasonably apprehended knife attack.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES
ILR4
