OPP officer in Thessalon shoots man holding 'edged weapon'

The province’s police watchdog is investigating after an OPP officer in Thessalon shot a 35-year-old man last night who was reportedly armed with an "edged weapon."

The man survived the shooting and is now in a Sudbury hospital in stable condition.

In a news release issued today, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says someone phoned 911 Friday night at approximately 7:15 p.m. to report a disturbance in the area of Frances and Ontario streets.

The man was armed with an edged weapon, the SIU says, prompting an officer to discharge a conducted energy weapon (taser).

“There was an interaction and an officer shot his firearm at the man,” the release says. “The man was arrested and taken to hospital in Sudbury.”

Three investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. 

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about the altercation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

Staffed by civilians, the SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police officers in cases that result in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.