We are all devastated when a child tragically dies. We continue to support our members affected by an incident that occurred near Lindsay, Ontario on November 26, 2020 involving the death of a child.  It is important to wait for the facts of the final investigation. We urge anyone from the public or our members to reach out for professional mental health supports. Contact information for both public and our members is posted below.  

Mental Health resources are available for all OPP members, including direct access to our psychologists and care navigators. Contact a Care Navigator for Healthy Workplace support services, including psychological services, by calling toll-free 1-844-677-9409.  

The Ontario Provincial Police Association’s (OPPA) Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is  available to eligible OPPA and Commissioned Officers’ Association members. Call 24/7: 1-866-794-9117 or visit EncompasCare.ca

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge offers mental health supports to residents of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Peterborough and County, and Northumberland. To learn more about the programs and services they offer, visit cmhahkpr.ca or call 705-328-2704.

If you or someone you know in the City of Kawartha Lakes / Lindsay area is in crisis, call Four County Crisis at 705-745-6484 or toll-free at 1-866-995-9933.

Police are not able to comment by law on “the interaction” surrounding  SIU investigations. The following is shared for easily accessible information directly from the news release from The Special Investigations Unit dated December 3, 2020: 

On November 26, 2020, a 33-year-old man became involved in an interaction with Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers in the City of Kawartha Lakes. When three officers discharged their firearms at the man, the man was struck. He was airlifted to hospital. Last night at 8:40 p.m., the man succumbed to his injuries. A post-mortem is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in Toronto.

What we officially know so far (from the SIU):

  • During the interaction, a one-year-old boy sustained a fatal gunshot wound. His post-mortem took place on Saturday, and the SIU is awaiting this report.
  • Prior to the shooting, the man’s vehicle collided with an OPP cruiser and a civilian vehicle. An officer who was outside of the cruiser – laying down a spike belt – sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision. He remains in hospital in stable condition.
  • The three officers who discharged their firearms were designated as subject officers. Thirteen OPP officers were designated as witness officers. Ten of the witness officers have been interviewed by SIU investigators, and the remaining three will be interviewed in the coming days.
  • The Centre of Forensic Sciences is in possession of the man’s pickup truck for examination. The CFS is also in possession of a handgun that was located in the pickup truck. The three police-issued firearms that were discharged are currently with the SIU.

Media inquires for the OPP Association email: communications@oppa.ca