The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the province has cleared a Toronto police officer of any wrongdoing related to the shooting of a 17-year-old boy that occurred on March 23, 2025. The SIU conducted an investigation following the incident, which originated when members of the Guns and Gangs Task Force were tracking a vehicle believed to be associated with illegal firearms.
According to the SIU's findings, the events unfolded around 3 p.m. when the suspect driver entered a plaza located at the intersection of Islington Avenue and Satterly Road. After completing his transaction in a store, he returned to his vehicle but was immediately surrounded by police officers who attempted to execute a takedown.
During this attempted arrest, one of the four men inside the vehicle tried to escape through a rear door but was stopped by an officer. Consequently, the driver attempted to flee through the same door, prompting an officer to shoot him once in the right leg. The SIU subsequent investigation confirmed that the occupants of the vehicle were arrested, with "multiple firearms" recovered, including a semi-automatic pistol found on the driver who was shot.
In his report, SIU director Joseph Martino noted that while evidence indicated that the driver was not reaching for a gun at the time of the shooting, there was also evidence suggesting that his hands were in proximity to his waistband, which could be construed as a threatening gesture. Martino stated, “On this record, I am unable to reasonably conclude that the [subject officer] did not harbour an honest belief that it was necessary to shoot the Complainant to protect himself and others from a reasonably apprehended attack.”
Martino further elaborated on the situation, emphasizing that the officer faced a "very real risk" that the driver would use a firearm against law enforcement personnel. He asserted that, under these high-risk circumstances, “nothing short of a firearm had the immediate stopping power required to preserve the SO and others from grievous bodily harm or death.” Thus, Martino concluded that there were no reasonable grounds to believe that a criminal offense had been committed regarding the shooting incident.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding police operations, particularly in high-stakes situations involving alleged gang activity and the potential presence of firearms. The SIU's decision to clear the officer reflects a commitment to thorough and impartial investigations in cases involving law enforcement actions. As the conversation on public safety and police accountability continues, this case reiterates the difficult and often dangerous decisions that police officers must make in the line of duty, particularly when they perceive an imminent threat to their safety and that of others.
