The Special Investigations Unit say Kotanko pointed a gun at officers before they opened fire, shooting him four times.
The Special Investigations unit has cleared a Toronto Police officer after the death of 70 year old Rodger Kotanko in Simcoe last November.
Toronto Police executed a search warrant at Kotanko's home on Port Ryerse Road on November 3, as part of a firearms-trafficking investigation. SIU Director Joseph Martino says the facts of the case are that two officers went into his workshop, where the door was open and identified themselves as police. Inside the workshop was Kotanko and a customer and they were told to raise their hands. The customer complied but Kotanko did not, despite multiple commands according to the SIU. Kotanko then reached with his right hand towards the workbench and grabbed a gun, pointing it at the officers. They told him to drop it and he did not. The officer then shot Kotanko four times.
Officers rendered care to Kotanko until paramedics arrived. He was transported to hospital where he died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Director Martino concluded that the officer fired his weapon to protect himself, and possibly the other officer, from a reasonably apprehended assault. For reasons unknown,
Martino says that Kotanko ignored the officers’ direction to raise his hands, picked up a firearm, refused to drop it and pointed the gun at the officers.
White Christmas Not Guaranteed for Oxford
PJHL Recap - Dec 12th to Dec 14th
Holiday Safety Tips from OCAR
Paris Man Charged with Impaired
Rob Reiner Dead at 78
Christmas Lights Stolen in Ingersoll
UPDATE: Cyber Security Experts Investigating Oxford Incident
PJHL Preview - Dec. 12th to Dec. 14th
Tour of Lights Begins this Weekend
Drunk Drivers Charged in Woodstock
Week Three Results for Festive RIDE Campaign
Woodstock Passes 2026 Capital Budget
WFD Respond to Two Fires in the City
An Impaired Driver was Caught in EZT
Oxford OPP Investigating Serious Collision
Interview with the Warden - December 11th, 2025
SWOX Christmas Lights Contest Returns!
Ingersoll Choral Society Presents: Christmas Bells
UPDATE: Snow Squalls Hit Oxford
UPDATE: OPP Officers Released from Hospital
Comments
Add a comment