A Toronto police officer has been charged in connection with the death of a 40-year-old man following a shooting outside a Niagara Falls hotel last summer.
Constable Andrew Lawson of the Toronto Police Service was arrested Wednesday by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and charged with manslaughter. He was released on an undertaking with conditions and is scheduled to appear in a St. Catharines court in May.
SIU Director Joseph Martino stated that he found reasonable grounds to believe Lawson committed a criminal offence in the July 30, 2025, shooting. The incident occurred outside a hotel on Stanley Avenue.
Lawson was part of the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) squad – a multi-agency team – which was attempting to arrest a man wanted on a Canada-wide parole revocation warrant. According to the SIU, an interaction occurred after the man exited the hotel, and Lawson discharged his firearm, striking the man.
The man was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The SIU has stated it will not provide further details about the investigation as the matter is now before the courts.
The Toronto Police Service has suspended Lawson with pay, in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act.
The Toronto Police Association (TPA) described the charges as an “unfortunate development.” TPA President Clayton Campbell stated that a police officer was seriously injured during the interaction, and emphasized that officers are entitled to due process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) squad?
The ROPE squad is a multi-agency team operated by the Ontario Provincial Police that focuses on locating and arresting individuals wanted on outstanding warrants, including parole revocations.
What happens next in this case?
Constable Lawson is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines in May. The case will proceed through the court system, and a trial may be held.
Was anyone else injured during the incident?
The SIU reported that a Hamilton police officer was seriously injured during the interaction with the man who was fatally shot.
As this case moves through the legal system, what level of scrutiny do you believe is appropriate when evaluating the actions of law enforcement officers in potentially life-threatening situations?
