Three Kawartha Lakes OPP officers charged in shooting death of 18-month-old Jameson Shapiro
Three Kawartha Lakes OPP officers have now been charged following the shooting death of 18-month-old Jameson Shapiro in November 2020.
According to Joseph Martino, director of the Special Investigations Unit, there are, reasonable grounds to believe that three Ontario Provincial Police officers committed criminal offences" in relation to the toddler's death.
OPP Constables Nathan Vanderheyden, Kenneth Pengelly and Grason Cappus have each been charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death. They are scheduled to appear in Lindsay court October 6.
Since the matter is now before the courts, the SIU says it will not comment further on the case.
Shortly after the SIU announced the charges, a statement was released by OPP officials.
On November 26, 2020, a family suffered the tremendous loss of their child, and the Ontario Provincial Police extends to them our deepest sympathies. Our mission is to protect our citizens, uphold the law and preserve public safety. When a tragedy such as this occurs, it affects the families, the community and our whole service. It is devastating when an innocent life is lost during an incident," says OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.
We thank members of the public who awaited the findings of the SIU, rather than speculating on what occurred. We respect the mandate and responsibilities of the SIU and will not comment further as this matter proceeds through the appropriate court processes."
According to information provided at the time, OPP had set up a roadblock on Pigeon Lake Road between Lilac Road and Settlers Road in the City of Kawartha Lakes to stop the young boy's father's truck after police said he had used a firearm to abduct the baby from a home on Fire Route 111 in Trent Lakes, northeast of Bobcaygeon, at about 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 26.
An OPP officer, identified by family as 35-year-old Const. Chris Dobbs, of Peterborough, who had been outside a cruiser laying down a spike belt to halt the pickup truck, was seriously injured after the pickup truck struck a cruiser at the roadblock. The collision also involved a civilian's pickup truck.
There was an interaction with police after the collision and three OPP officers shot multiple times at the vehicle. A handgun was found inside the pickup truck after the shooting.
Back in February 2021, the SIU confirmed that it was OPP gunfire that killed both Jameson Shapiro and his 33-year-old father, who died of his injuries later in hospital.
Rob Stinson, president of the OPP Association, also released a statement following Wednesday's announcement, stating the association will support the officers.
"This incident is a tragic circumstance for all involved. We are fully supporting our members charged and our officers and civilian staff affected, with some still off work. It has impacted many people, families, first responders, and our members," said Stinson. "Every single day police officers make split second decisions that most will never have to make and wouldn't want to make. This case is now before the courts. Everyone is entitled to due process. Our members have cooperated with the investigation in accordance with the law."
The association acts as the bargaining agent for its nearly 10,000 uniform and civilian OPP members.