Officer who fatally shot Ejaz Choudry won’t face charges: SIU

The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said it has found no basis to proceed with charges after a 62-year-old man in mental distress was fatally shot by a Peel police officer last year.

Peel police officers were called to Ejaz Choudry’s apartment on Morning Star Drive in Mississauga on the evening of June 20 to check on his well being.

Choudry’s family has said they called a non-emergency line for help while Choudry was in crisis and needed his medication, but police showed up.

Officers and Choudry’s family headed to his home where, according to the SIU’s report, he was found barricaded inside, kneeling on a prayer rug and holding two kitchen knives.

The victim’s nephew, Hassan Choudhary, said his uncle suffered from schizophrenia.

The SIU said officers attempted get Choudry to surrender but when he stopped responding, three members of the Peel Regional Police tactical response unit forced their way in through the door of the second-floor balcony.

When Choudry would not drop the knives, officers fired an energy conducting weapon at him, as well as rubber bullets, but when that was unsuccessful an officer fired a fatal shot.

In its report, the SIU noted that the officer who fatally shot Choudry declined to be interviewed for the investigation and did not provide notes, as is the officer’s legal rights.

Choudry was pronounced dead at the scene. His death sparked protests that saw demonstrators occupy a local intersection for several days.

SIU director Joseph Martino said in the report he had determined there was “no basis to proceed with criminal charges in this case notwithstanding Mr. Choudry’s tragic death.”

Peel regional police Chief Nishan Duraiappah released the following statement on Tuesday: