Ontario’s police watchdog investigating after 2 die inside Burlington home

Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after two people were found dead inside a Burlington, Ont., home overnight Tuesday.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said in a news release that at roughly 12:30 a.m., Halton Regional Police officers responded to a home on Cornerstone Drive, near Dundas Street, after receiving multiple 911 calls for a disturbance.

SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette told reporters at the scene that when officers arrived at the home, a 28-year-old man fled upstairs. When officers found him, he had a “self-inflicted injury, believed to have been caused by a knife.”

Denette said officers attempted to arrest the man, and provided life-saving measures before calling paramedics, but he died at the scene.

Halton police told Global News an interaction occurred between officers and the man, which resulted in the SIU probe.

“We have uncovered evidence of a conducted energy weapon, and we’re in the process of conducting interviews to determine how that was used,” Denette said.

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“There was an attempted arrest made by this individual upstairs, and there was an interaction, some conversations and a struggle that ensued as well. As to the specifics of that, that is under investigation but that really is why the SIU is here investigating.”

Another man was also found dead inside the home; a woman was taken to hospital with non-serious injuries. She has since been released from hospital, Denette said.

Denette added she’s not sure where the 911 calls originated.

“There wasn’t anyone on the other line. I think there was some voices that were heard on the other line,” she said.

“The call was put through as an unknown trouble … so I’m not sure that they kind of knew exactly what they were getting into when they arrived.”

The SIU described the incident as isolated.

Five SIU investigators and two forensic officials are now probing the matter and canvassing for witnesses around the neighbourhood. Halton police is also conduction a criminal investigation into the other deceased man, and injured female.

The SIU investigates police officers, Niagara Parks Commission special constables and Legislative Protective Service peace officers involved in incidents that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about the investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529.

— with files from Aaron D’Andrea