WARNING: This story contains details that may be disturbing to some readers.
The Special Investigations Unit has ended an investigation into the serious injuries suffered by a 30-year-old man in December in Sault Ste. Marie, deeming them self-inflicted.
Early on Dec. 17, 2024, two Sault Ste. Marie Police officers attended a residence to investigate a reported domestic disturbance between a man and woman, the SIU said in its report.
“As the officers were arriving in their cruisers, the man, standing by his vehicle parked on the roadway by the address, cut his neck and repeatedly stabbed himself in the chest before collapsing to the ground,” the report said.
“The officers radioed for paramedics to attend. The man was transported to hospital and treated for a neck laceration and superficial chest wounds.”
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of video footage of the incident, Director Joseph Martino felt the investigation should be discontinued.
“On this record, it was plain and obvious that neither officer did anything that could conceivably attract criminal liability in connection with the man’s self-inflicted injuries; the man was alone responsible. As such, the file has been closed.”
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police and other peace officers that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians, the report said.