A man was left with serious injuries after being struck by a bean-bag round fired from a police shotgun at a Toronto hospital, according to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The incident, which occurred on an unspecified date, is now under investigation by Ontario's police watchdog.
Details of the Incident
The SIU reported that officers were called to the hospital for an unspecified reason when the situation escalated. A bean-bag shotgun, a less-lethal weapon often used by police to subdue individuals, was discharged, striking the man. He was transported within the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
SIU Investigation Underway
The SIU has invoked its mandate and is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The agency is urging anyone with information, including witnesses or video footage, to come forward. The identity of the officer involved has not been released, and no further details about the man's condition have been provided.
Bean-bag rounds are designed to incapacitate without penetrating the skin, but they can still cause significant injury, especially at close range or if they strike sensitive areas. The SIU investigation will determine whether the use of force was justified.
Broader Context
This incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of police use of less-lethal weapons in Canada. The SIU, which investigates any incident involving police that results in serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault, has handled numerous cases involving bean-bag shotguns in recent years.
No charges have been laid at this time, and the investigation is ongoing. The hospital has not released a statement regarding the incident.
