Editor's note: Warning, possible disturbing content.
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The Special Investigations Unit says no charges will be laid after finding that a 60-year-old man died in his North Bay home as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound last May 10.
North Bay Police Service officers responded to the man’s residence to check on his welfare that morning – and were possibly present around the house at the time the man shot himself an SIU report concludes.
See: Special Investigations Unit called in as 60 year old man found dead
That day a retired OPP officer had spoken with the man earlier in the day and the victim said he was having marital issues with his wife, then mentioned that he was not long for this side of the ground.The NBPS were called and responded to the scene arriving at 10:38 a.m.
The man was known to have a large quantity of firearms.
Because they had information that the man was suicidal the officers adopted a very circumspect approach explains the report.
They blocked traffic in the vicinity and set up a perimeter around the home. With those measures in place, an officer arranged to have the landline and cell phone called from the police station. The intention was to talk with the man to have him come out of the home and speak with the officers. When calls went unanswered officers entered the garage and found no one inside.
At 2:44 p.m., officers breached the door and found the man dead on the couch with a handgun in hand and a single shot through his mouth.
Police had previously been to the residence on May 5, 7 and 9, 2020, on well-being and domestic calls.
That day the scene was contained inside a house located in the area of Trout Lake Road and Feronia Road.
Officers found a large quantity of a dried red blood-like substance on and around the Complainant says the report.
"His right thumb was through the trigger guard of a Smith and Wesson M&P40 semi- automatic pistol. There was what appeared to be blood spatter on his right forearm.
"A coffee table was directly in front of the Complainant. On the table was a pad of paper with a handwritten note. Also, on the table was a box of Hornady Critical Duty .40 calibre bullets. Four of the 20 cartridges were missing."
There is no indication in the evidence of conduct on the part of the officers approaching the level of criminal negligence wrote Joseph Martino, Director.
Read the full report here.
"Given the information at their disposal regarding the Complainant’s access to firearms and recent suicidal ideations, the officers under his command acted prudently by first securing the scene and establishing containment around the home before they attempted to make contact. Thereafter, I am unable to fault the officers for continuing to try to engage the Complainant at a distance via telephone. The decision to deploy the ERT some two hours after the initial officers had arrived at the scene would also appear a reasonable tactic. Though it took some time for the tactical officers to mobilize at the scene, the time lag was minimal and probably unavoidable given that entry into the home was becoming increasingly likely and the real risk of having to deal with firearms once inside. Once the Complainant’s body was discovered inside, prompt medical attention was secured even though it appeared that the Complainant was already dead.
"It is unclear whether the SO or any of the officers who responded to the scene could have done anything to prevent the Complainant taking his life."
Martino determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that any officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s death.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials including police officers that may have resulted in death,
