DRYDEN, Ont. – A Vancouver man who was the subject of a week-long search by Ontario Provincial Police near Dryden has died from a gunshot wound following an interaction with police Saturday.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which has launched an investigation into the case, announced the death of Nazariy Geletiy on Sunday afternoon. The SIU is tasked with investigating incidents involving police that result in serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault.
SIU investigators do not believe at this time that any OPP officers discharged a firearm during the interaction, the agency said.
Officers located the man around 3 p.m. Saturday in a wooded area in Machin Township, just west of Dryden. According to the SIU, he was in possession of a firearm at the time.
“While the man was contained in bushes by members of the Emergency Response Team, he sustained a gunshot wound,” the SIU statement reads.
Geletiy was transported by helicopter to hospital in Dryden, then transferred to the regional hospital in Thunder Bay. He was pronounced deceased at 1:13 p.m. Sunday.
OPP were first made aware of Geletiy’s disappearance after being alerted to an unoccupied vehicle parked next to train tracks near Roussin Road in Machin.
Area residents submitted numerous tips of potential sightings between that date and Saturday, while a police search of the area included the use of a helicopter.
Police had not described Geletiy as a threat to public safety, but encouraged area residents to lock doors and property.
The SIU urges anyone who may have information regarding the investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. Video evidence can also be uploaded through the SIU website.
