MISSISSAUGA – The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has opened an investigation after a Wellington County OPP officer reportedly fired a weapon during an incident in Harriston on Nov. 21.
According to a brief Nov. 22 SIU press release, the OPP officer shot an “anti-riot weapon enfield” (ARWEN) at two boys after being called to a disturbance at an undisclosed Harriston residence.
“Officers were dispatched, and two males were observed to be causing damage to the residence,” the SIU release states.
Their ages aren’t disclosed in the release, however the SIU refers to them as “youths” and “boys.”
According to the SIU, officers “attempted to negotiate” before one fired the weapon, hitting the youths.
An ARWEN is a class of “less-lethal” weapon that can fire different types of 37mm munitions.
According to the company that manufactures the weapon, the “impact baton” that’s fired from the gun weighs about 78 grams and leaves the muzzle travelling at 242 feet-per-second.
The weapon’s effective range is around 100 metres.
According to the SIU, the youths “did not suffer any serious injury,” and were arrested and transported to a hospital.
The Advertiser is unable to verify any of the information contained in the press release as police agencies do not comment on incidents involving the SIU.
The SIU wants anyone with information about the incident to contact 1-800-787-8529 or to visit siu.on.ca/en/appeals.
