A 19-year-old is facing numerous charges in connection to a fatal shooting that shook a quiet north Innisfil neighbourhood in mid August.
The OPP confirmed Dec. 5 it has arrested Dylan Hatton, of Innisfil. He has been charged with numerous Criminal Code offences, including assaulting a peace officer with a weapon (four counts), assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
OPP says South Simcoe Police Service (SSPS) officers responded to an altercation near Shoreview Drive, between Whitecap Drive and Dalkab Crescent, around 2:40 p.m. that day.
Village Media reported at the time that two 19-year-olds were shot, one fatally, during the incident.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) invoked its mandate, and at the SSPS's request, the OPP began a parallel investigation into the circumstances leading up to the SSPS's arrival and the immediate situation at the scene when officers got there.
In a statement, the SIU said four officers “discharged their firearms at the men” while responding to a family dispute. One of the teens was transported to hospital in Barrie, where he was pronounced dead; the other had critical injuries and was sent to a hospital in Toronto.
“Officers arrived and there was an interaction involving the two men outside the residence,” the SIU's Kristy Denette said in a media release in the hours following the shooting.
Just prior to that release, South Simcoe issued a statement of its own, noting its officers had responded to a “violent incident” at a residential address in Innisfil.
“Upon arrival, there was an altercation between officers and two subjects,” South Simcoe stated. “As a result, both subjects suffered serious and life-threatening injuries.”
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officers that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person. Its civilian investigators look at whether the officers have committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident. Depending on the evidence, either a criminal charge can be laid or the case will be closed.
Where possible, SIU probes must be completed within 120 days.
The accused has been released and is scheduled to appear in Bradford provincial court on Jan. 2.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
