Cops cleared in shootout

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has cleared two Niagara Regional Police officers for their actions in a shootout at an apartment building in Fenwick.

The officers, Const. Neal Ridley and Const. Jake Braun, and another man were wounded in the gun battle at the Canboro Gardens complex at 704 Canboro Rd. on the night of Oct. 10, 2015.

The officers responded to a call for assistance and were confronted by a man identified by neighbours as 29-year-old Corey Richardson.

Richardson has not been charged, but the shootout remains under criminal investigation by the NRP’s homicide unit.

Police aren’t releasing any more information about their investigation at this time.

Joseph Martino, the acting director of the SIU, said there was “clear and compelling” evidence that there were no reasonable grounds to charge the officers with any criminal offence.

“In the circumstances, I am satisfied that the officers were faced with a clear and present danger (as the male) stepped from his apartment and started shooting in their direction, and that they were well within their rights in responding with gunfire of their own,” Martino said.

“Indeed, it seems likely that (the male) would have killed one or more of the officers had they not reacted as quickly and as forcefully as they did with their weapons.”

Police Chief Jeff McGuire said the officers who responded to the call knew they were facing a dangerous situation.

“Despite this knowledge, they maintained their positions and acted in accordance with their training, evacuating nearby residents and containing the subject within his apartment,” McGuire said.

“It was only when the subject male chose to engage the officers that they took action to preserve their own lives,” he said.

“We are extremely proud of the heroism displayed by the involved officers during this incident, and the members of this service will continue to support them as they recover from this experience and return to regular duties.”

The SIU is Ontario’s civilian oversight agency responsible for investigating circumstances involving police that result in death or serious injury.

Six investigators and three forensic investigators from the civilian watchdog were initially assigned to the investigation.