---
title: "Ontario watchdog clears Ottawa officer who shot man in Kanata hostage-taking"
description: "Ontario's Special Investigations Unit found no grounds for criminal charges against the officer who fired during a July 2 standoff on Finlayson Crescent."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/siu-clears-officer-kanata-hostage-2026-10-31"
last_updated: "2026-11-01T02:42:21.782Z"
---

Ontario's police watchdog has cleared the Ottawa officer who shot a man during a hostage-taking in Kanata, finding no grounds for criminal charges after a four-month investigation.

The Special Investigations Unit said on Friday, October 30, that its director was satisfied the officer acted to protect himself and decided not to lay charges. CTV News Ottawa reported the decision.

## What happened on July 2

Ottawa police were called to a home on Finlayson Crescent in Kanata at about 7 a.m. on July 2, 2026, after reports of a woman being held at knifepoint. Officers negotiated with the man inside for about 14 hours.

Shortly before 9 p.m., officers forced their way into the home and reached the upstairs bedroom where the woman was being held. CTV News Ottawa reported that the woman was rescued physically unharmed.

## How the shooting happened

The SIU's account, reported by CTV News Ottawa, says the man grabbed an officer in a bear hug around the officer's upper legs as officers entered the bedroom. The officer aimed his C8 rifle downward and fired twice, hitting the man once in the lower right leg. Officers then struck the man several times and handcuffed him.

The man, described as 42 years old, was taken to hospital. The SIU said he was diagnosed with a broken right shinbone caused by the bullet.

## What the watchdog found

SIU Director Martino found the officer fired to protect himself. CTV News Ottawa quoted the SIU as saying: "Not knowing whether the man was still in possession of the knife or the firearm he claimed to have, any reasonable person in the circumstances would have feared for their life and taken steps to defend themselves."

No criminal charges will be laid against the officer.

The SIU is an independent Ontario government agency that investigates incidents where police conduct may have caused death, serious injury or involved the discharge of a firearm at a person.

## Residents can read the SIU's published report for this incident at siu.on.ca, where all completed investigation reports are posted. The report was released October 30, 2026.

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