FORT SEVERN FIRST NATION, Ont. – Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a police shooting that took place in Fort Severn First Nation last month. The agency has confirmed an investigation into the actions of Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) officers involved in the shooting is ongoing.
A man was shot by a NAPS officer in the community, located about 800 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, on April 30. NAPS said the man “had engaged in a life-threatening altercation” with an officer before that officer discharged their firearm.
In a release, NAPS said the man fled the scene after being shot, but was later located and taken into custody by NAPS and OPP officers. He was then transported to hospital in serious but stable condition. The man has since been released from hospital.
The OPP’s investigation includes only the actions of the officers, while any investigation into the actions of the man involved would be the responsibility of NAPS.
NAPS would not confirm whether any charges had been laid against the individual, saying the incident was still under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which normally investigates incidents involving the police and civilians that result in serious injury, does not have jurisdiction over First Nations police services.
