SIU Lays Charges Against Three Ontario Provincial Police Officers in Relation to Death of Child in City of Kawartha Lakes

The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe that three Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers committed criminal offences in relation to the death of 18-month-old Jameson Shapiro in November 2020 in the City of Kawartha Lakes. As a result, Director Martino has caused charges to be laid against each of the officers.

OPP Constables Nathan Vanderheyden, Kenneth Pengelly and Grayson Cappus have each been charged with one count of manslaughter, contrary to s. 236(a) of the Criminal Code. They are each also charged with one count of criminal negligence causing death, contrary to s. 220(a) of the Criminal Code. All charges are in relation to the death of Jameson.

The officers will be required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 440 Kent Street West in Lindsay on October 6, 2022.

The matter is now properly before the courts. In consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.

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OPP Response to SIU Decision

Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Lindsay

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) respects the mandate and responsibilities of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and has received its decision regarding a tragic incident near Lindsay in November 2020.

The following is a statement from OPP Commissioner Thomas Car rique:

On November 26, 2020, a family suffered the tremendous loss of their child, and the Ontario Provincial Police extends to them our deepest sympathies. Our mission is to protect our citizens, uphold the law and preserve public safety. When a tragedy such as this occurs, it affects the families, the community and our whole service. It is devastating when an innocent life is lost during an incident.

We thank members of the public who awaited the findings of the SIU, rather than speculating on what occurred. We respect the mandate and responsibilities of the SIU and will not comment further as this matter proceeds through the appropriate court processes.

Any media inquiries regarding this matter should be directed to the Special Investigations Unit.

SIU Investigating Fatal Incident in City of Kawartha Lakes

Mississauga, ON (26 November, 2020) —

• At approximately 8:45 a.m. on November 26, 2020, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was made aware that a father had abducted his son from the Municipality of Trent Lakes.
• A short time later, the OPP located a vehicle of interest – a pickup truck – in the City of Kawartha Lakes on Sturgeon Road. Officers attempted to stop the truck.
• On Pigeon Lake Road, the truck became involved in a collision with an OPP cruiser and a civilian vehicle. At that time, an OPP officer was standing outside of the cruiser and he sustained serious injuries.
• An interaction ensued between the 33-year-old vehicle driver and officers, and three officers discharged their firearms. The man was struck and airlifted to the hospital in grave condition.
• Inside the pickup truck was a one-year-old boy. He had sustained a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Four investigators, two forensic investigators and one collision reconstructionist have been assigned to the case. At this time, three subject officers have been designated.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

SIU investigators remain in the City of Kawartha Lakes to investigate the circumstances surrounding an interaction yesterday that resulted in the death of a one-year-old child and serious injuries to a 33-year-old man. An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was also seriously injured.

As of today:

• A post-mortem on the child is scheduled for tomorrow morning in Toronto.
• The child’s father, the 33-year-old man, had been airlifted to a hospital in Toronto. He remains in hospital.
• The OPP officer who sustained serious injuries is also in hospital in stable condition.
• From the scene, investigators have collected three police-issued firearms which will be sent to the Centre of Forensic Sciences for analysis. A fourth firearm – a handgun – was located in the pickup truck. Investigators are in the process of taking possession of the handgun.
• Three subject officers and 13 witness officers have been designated.
• Two civilian witnesses have been interviewed.
• The vehicle will be taken to the Centre of Forensic Sciences for examination.

The SIU appreciates the public interest in this tragic case and is doing what it can to get answers to the public as quickly as possible while ensuring that the integrity of the investigation is not compromised. We ask for the public’s continued patience.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.