The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe that a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the shooting death of a 40-year-old man on July 30, 2025. Director Martino has caused a charge to be laid against the officer.
The investigation found that on the morning of July 30, 2025, members of the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement squad (consisting of officers from various police services) attended a hotel in Niagara Falls to locate a man who was subject to an outstanding Canada-wide parole revocation warrant. There was an interaction between officers and the man, and one officer discharged his firearm. The man was struck. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Constable Andrew Lawson of the Toronto Police Service is charged with one count of manslaughter contrary to section 236(a) of the Criminal Code. He was arrested at SIU headquarters earlier today and subsequently released on an undertaking with conditions.
Cst Lawson is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines on May 6, 2026.
As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
