SIU clears officers in self-inflicted death investigation of man in Barrie
Barrie police officers will not face any criminal charges after the province's police watchdog completed an investigation into the self-inflicted death of a man in February.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) released its report on the incident on Saturday.
Just after noon on Feb. 4, Barrie police received a 911 call from staff at a grocery store on Blake Street, where a woman had fled from a man's vehicle after he committed "serious and violent" offences against her, according to the media release.
The woman told responding officers that the man was in possession of firearms and grenades.
The SIU said the man's police record described him as "unpredictable."
At around 2 p.m., the man's vehicle was located on Kempenfelt Drive without anyone inside after officers used the woman's phone that she left to track his location. Officers followed marks in the snow leading to a wooded area off the north shore of Kempenfelt Bay, where they found the man holding a shotgun to his head.
The SIU said officers pleaded with the man to drop the gun, but the 35-year-old man shot and killed himself within 15 seconds of the encounter.
The SIU said there were no reasonable grounds to proceed with criminal charges against Barrie police and has ended its investigation into the case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Dianne Feinstein, longest-serving female U.S. senator in history, dies at 90
Dianne Feinstein, whose three decades in the Senate made her the longest-serving female U.S. senator in history, has died, according to a source familiar.
Authorities dispatched to Britney Spears' home over video showing singer dancing with knives
Officials were called to the southern California home of Britney Spears on Wednesday to conduct a wellness check after the singer posted a video on social media depicting her dancing with knives.
Some hospitals are bringing back masking - and the general public should consider it this fall too, experts say
Some hospitals are instigating stricter masking rules again amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases, and although we’ve probably seen the end of broad masking mandates, some experts say the general public should also be making more use of this tool in our arsenal of measures to fight illness.
In defiance of judge, Sask. premier to force school pronoun rules into law
In defiance of a King's Bench ruling, Saskatchewan's premier plans to force a controversial school pronoun policy into law.
Canada Post launches new stamps to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this Saturday, Canada Post has released a series of new stamps to honour the survivors of residential schools.
Toronto family shocked they have to rip out $20K synthetic grass putting green
A Scarborough family said they were shocked to get a notice from the City of Toronto that the artificial grass in their backyard, including a putting green, will have to be ripped out.
Putin orders former Wagner commander to take charge of 'volunteer units' in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered one of the top commanders of the Wagner military contractor to take charge of 'volunteer units' fighting in Ukraine, signalling the Kremlin's effort to keep using the mercenaries after the death of their chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Movie reviews: 'The Creator' is a strikingly original, soulful sci-fi film
This week, pop culture critic Richard Crouse reviews new movies 'The Creator,' 'Flora and Son,' 'PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie,' 'Saw X,' 'Reptile'
Thriving NFL benefits most from Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce relationship
The NFL didn't need a popularity boost before Travis Kelce became enchanted with Taylor Swift. They'll gladly welcome millions of Swifties to watch this love story unfold.