Three police officers were accused of manslaughter on Wednesday by an independent federal law enforcement agency in Canada for the death of an 18-month-old child.
SIU Lays Charges Against Three Police Officers in Relation to Death of Child in City of Kawartha Lakes
— Special Investigations Unit (@SIUOntario) August 31, 2022
English: https://t.co/HRIh1f7Zeg
Francais: https://t.co/MO8Hw2j2Ed
Three OPP constables, Nathan Vanderheyden, Kenneth Pengelly, and Grayson Cappus, have reportedly each been charged with one count of manslaughter, in violation of s. 236(a) of the Criminal Code, according to the SIU. In addition, they are each accused of one count of criminal negligence causing death, which is against section 220(a) of the Criminal Code. The death of Jameson is the subject of all charges.
The event took place on November 26, 2020, when police opened fire on the boy's father as he was driving a pickup truck while reportedly kidnapping the young child.
Jameson Shapiro, the child, died at the scene, according to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Canada. The father, who was not identified, passed away on December 2 from gunshot wounds, roughly a week later.
According to Canada's Special Investigation Unit, the police responded to the kidnapping case when the pickup truck was located. Kawartha Lakes was where the vehicle was found.
Evidence, according to the agency, indicated that both the boy and his father were killed by police gunfire.
The police reported finding four guns at the site, three of which belonged to the policemen and one of which was discovered next to the father's truck.
I would like to issue the following statement as a result of today's decision by the @SIUOntario.
— Thomas Carrique (@OPPCommissioner) August 31, 2022
On November 26, 2020, a family suffered the tremendous loss of their child, and the Ontario Provincial Police extends to them our deepest sympathies. 1/3
In a statement on Wednesday, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique expressed his condolences to the family, stressing that it is "devastating when an innocent life is lost during an incident."
As the case moves through the courts, Carrique said the OPP would refrain from making any more comments.
On October 6, 2022, the officers will be required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice.