Police watchdog investigating after officer shot crowd control gun at Ottawa man

The headquarters for the Special Investigations Unit is seen here.

Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after an Ottawa police officer shot a crowd control gun at a man, 43, Tuesday in Nepean.

The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says in a news release on its website it has assigned two investigators to the case, noting that the man was not seriously injured.

The incident happened when police received a call around 10:35 a.m., reporting a man was in distress in a home located on Cornell Street. When officers arrived at the scene, they attempted to negotiate with the man, the SIU said.

During the incident, an officer fired an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN), striking the man.

The man was transported to hospital “where he was cleared of any serious injury and admitted under the Mental Health Act,” reads the release.

The SIU said even though the man was not seriously injured, its mandate was invoked because the ARWEN is classified as a firearm.

“A firearm is defined as a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person,” reads the release.

The SIU investigates the conduct of police officers that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or discharge of a firearm at a person.

Anyone with information about this incident, or who might have video footage is asked to contact the SIU at 1-800-787-8529.