Ontario’s police watchdog says it has launched an investigation after a 44-year-old man died in police custody in Orillia.
The Special Investigation Unit says Ontario Provincial Police officers conducted a wellness check at the man's home on West Street North on Friday shortly after 1:10 p.m.
He reportedly barricaded himself in the home, and when officers eventually tried to apprehend the man, there was an interaction between he and police and an officer discharged an anti-riot weapon, according to the SIU.
The man was arrested under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
An officer was also injured and taken to hospital for treatment. They were eventually released.
Two investigators and one forensic expert are assigned to examine the case.
