Update: SIU investigating after Brock Street incident in downtown Kingston
Update (Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2023, at 5 p.m.):
According to a press release from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the incident that occurred on Brock Street at the Chown Memorial Parking Garage this morning involved a man falling from the fourth floor of the parking complex.
“The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man this morning in Kingston,” the SIU said in a press release just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2023.
According to the SIU, shortly before 7 a.m., someone called 911 to report that a man was observed on the ledge of the fourth floor of the parking garage. Upon arriving at the scene, a Kingston Police officer exited his cruiser and attempted to talk to the man.
“Shortly after, the man fell to the ground below,” the SIU said. “The man was transported to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.”
Three investigators and one forensic investigator from the SIU have been assigned to the case, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled for Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023, in Kingston. The SIU did not release the identity of the deceased.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
Additionally, the SIU said that anyone who may be affected or in need of support can contact the Affected Persons General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897, or visit siu.on.ca/en/apc.php for more information.
Update (Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2023, at 1:40 p.m.):
According to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the investigation they are currently undertaking with regard to the incident on Brock Street at the Chown Memorial Parking Garage involves the circumstances around the death of a man that occurred on the morning of Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2023. The SIU did not release any further information, but are expected to do so in the coming hours.
Original article (Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2023, at 12 p.m.):
After police were called to a downtown parking garage early this morning, the adjacent road has been closed to traffic and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) called in, according to Kingston Police.
At approximately 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2023, Kingsston Police received a call regarding suspicious activity at the Chown Memorial municipal parking garage, which is situated off of Brock Street across from Hotel Dieu Hospital and behind the Grand Theatre. Within minutes, other emergency responders were called to the scene, including Kingston Fire and Rescue and Frontenac Paramedic Services. Brock Street was closed to traffic between Montreal and Sydenham Streets, and emergency vehicles blocked the roadway and filled the blocked off area.
By 11 a.m., Kingston Police had communicated publicly that the stretch of Brock Street would remain closed for “and extended period of time” for the day. Shortly thereafter, Const. Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police, relayed the following:
“This call is of a sensitive nature and, as the SIU has invoked its mandate, no other information will be provided at this time.”
The SIU is a civilian law enforcement agency in Ontario with jurisdiction over municipal, regional, and provincial officers, among other police services and positions. The SIU invokes its mandate to investigate police cases that involve one or more of the following while police are present:
- The death of a person
- Serious injury of a person
- The discharge of a firearm at a person
- The sexual assault of a person, as reported by the person (victim)
Because the SIU has invoked its mandate, Const. Gutheinz would not confirm the extent of injuries that occurred in the incident, nor to whom they occurred.
Kingstonist has inquired with the SIU about this case, but response was not immediately received by time of publication. This is a developing story with further coverage to come.