Probation for passenger in police shooting
Woman pleads guilty to several charges in fatal police encounter
A Dundas woman who was a passenger in a truck that was involved in a police chase that ended in Niagara-on-the-lake after the driver was shot and killed by police was under a court order to remain at home at the time of the shooting, court heard Thursday. Lindsey Archer was sentenced to time served and placed on probation for 12 months after she pleaded guilty in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines to charges of obstructing police and failing to comply with a court order.
The 29-year-old woman was arrested Jan. 5 after Martin Gordyn, 27, was shot and killed during an interaction with police.
Archer initially gave police a false name at the scene.
At the time of the offence, she was under a court order imposed in February 2020 to live at her parents’ home and remain in the residence.
Niagara Regional Police received a 911 call at about 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 from an employee at Partsource on Lundy’s Lane who had observed two “unresponsive” people inside a pickup truck in the parking lot.
When police arrived, court heard, the vehicle fled the scene.
“The vehicle fled from the city of Niagara Falls to Niagara-onthe-lake with police officers from the Niagara Regional Police, OPP and Niagara Parks Police attempting to stop the vehicle at various points as it continued to attempt to evade police,” said assistant Crown attorney Jacqueline Strecansky.
The pursuit ended after the truck entered a ditch on Niagara Parkway near Line 3.
“The interaction that follows between Martin Gordyn and the uniformed officers resulted in the fatal shooting of Mr. Gordyn by police,” the Crown added.
Two NRP officers, an 11-year veteran and a 19-year veteran of the force, were injured in the incident. Both were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Charges of possession of property obtained by crime and possession of a narcotic were withdrawn against Archer after her guilty pleas were entered.
“She is highly remorseful for her actions and she’s embarrassed for herself and her family,” said defence lawyer David Protomanni.
“She fell into drug addiction and she’s looking forward to getting the help that she needs.”
Although the Niagara matters have now been dealt with, the woman remains behind bars as she has outstanding criminal charges from Brantford.
Meanwhile, the province’s police watchdog agency continues to investigate the incident.
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit is an arm’s-length agency of the province that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.