A Chatham-Kent OPP officer has been charged following a fatal shooting on the 401 last summer.
Police initially responded to a call about a gas theft on July 7, located the suspect vehicle heading west on the 401 and gave chase. The vehicle ended up in the centre median near Ridgetown.
According to investigators, one officer approached the vehicle and shot the driver, who later died in hospital.
Constable Sean O’Rourke has been charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death. He was arrested on Friday, released with conditions, and will appear in court on February 16th.
The SIU has declined any further comment on the case as the matter is before the courts.
The Ontario Provincial Police Association issued a statement in support of Constable O’Rourke.
“Our members have cooperated as mandated by law with the investigation led by the Special Investigations Unit,” the statement reads. “ It was an absolutely tragic event. Our lawyers will vigorously defend the actions of our officer in a court of law.”
