Veteran Barrie police officer pleads guilty for suspect shooting in 2018 robbery
A veteran Barrie police officer charged for firing his handgun while investigating a robbery three years ago has pleaded guilty to careless use of a firearm.
Sgt. Michael Chytuk was charged by the Special Investigations Unit following the incident in September 2018 with criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
In a Barrie courtroom Tuesday, he agreed to the lesser charge.
In an agreed statement of facts, the court heard that Chytuk was working at a R.I.D. E. check in Barrie when the call about a robbery came over the officer's radio.
He and two other officers headed to the area in a marked police SUV and spotted the suspect vehicle at a gas station in the city's northeast end.
Chytuk reportedly attempted to stop the suspect car, but the four occupants took off at high speed, and he had to move out of the vehicle's path to avoid it.
The court facts state that the defendant agreed his "finger unintentionally slipped down into the trigger guard," and it fired a single shot, hitting the vehicle and passenger in the backseat.
The car crashed nearby into a tree at St. Vincent Park.
Three suspects were arrested while trying to run from the scene. Toronto police later arrested the fourth suspect, who suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
The justice will hand down her sentence next month.
The Crown and defence suggested an absolute discharge for Chytuk.
In a statement to CTV News, Barrie Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood said that Chytuk retired in July and "is no longer a serving member with our service."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.