Carjacking suspect brought down with non-lethal bullet by cops in Oakville, SIU called in

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is now involved following Tuesday afternoon’s (July 18) incident where a man with a firearm was arrested in the area of Sheridan College in Oakville which forced a lockdown at the school.

The provincial unit is investigating after a Halton Regional Police officer discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at the suspect.

The SIU’s preliminary information suggests that around 3 p.m. Halton officers were dispatched to a reported carjacking in the area of Eighth Line and Kestell Blvd. At the time it was reported the suspect was armed.

A man believed to be responsible fled in a vehicle and was reportedly involved in a collision in the area of Trafalgar Rd. and Ceremonial Dr. He then fled on foot.

Shortly thereafter a suspect was found by a police service dog in the yard of a home in the area of McCreaney St. E. and was fired on with an ARWEN by an officer.

The man was arrested and taken to hospital. He was not seriously injured.

“The man did not sustain any serious injury, but the SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged an ARWEN, which is classified as a firearm,” the SIU said in a statement.

“Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.”

The ARWEN ACE is a less-lethal launcher which fires a variety of 37mm less-lethal munitions which includes direct impact batons, chemical irritant delivery munitions and smoke delivery munitions.

The SIU urges anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online here.