/AA/ Kawartha Lakes, Ontario [Canada] (Signal High) —– Charges against three Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers in relation to a deadly shooting in 2020 have been dropped – a decision that has left many angry and wondering why. Some are even calling foul.
It was November 26, 2020. The OPP had received an unconfirmed report of a domestic incident involving a firearm in the nearby Municipality of Trent Lakes. The assailant was identified as William Shapiro, 33, allegedly armed and driving a Toyota Tundra pickup truck. At some point after that, it became apparent that William had his 18-month-old son Jameson with him as well. Details about what police knew and when remain sketchy.
At some point, police located Shapiro, engaged him in some form of altercation and cornered him into a high-speed chase. It was during this pursuit that the OPP radio dispatcher warned there was a child in the truck with Shapiro – the police knew. The police again gave Shapiro no way out. There was a collision between Shapiro and one of the police officers, details unknown. When Shapiro refused to cooperate, police unloaded into the truck, killing young Jameson and mortally wounding Shapiro (he would later die in hospital). In total, police fired 45 shots into the truck, after it had already stopped, knowing full well that a child was on board.
Little Jameson (18 months) was killed in the fray, gunned down by police at scene. Shapiro died just a few days later, on December 2. He had been taken to Toronto but succumbed to his injuries.
TWO YEARS LATER, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) – the government agency responsible to clear police of all wrongdoing – actually laid charges. Three OPP police officers, Constables Nathan Vanderheyden, Kenneth Pengelly and Grayson Cappus were each charged with manslaughter, reckless discharge of a firearm with intent, and aggravated assault.
From December 15, 2023, through January 8, 2024, the prosecutor (referred to as the Crown) held preliminary hearings. Delays in bringing charges, the lack of information, and the rampant rumours killed the child raised numerous questions about policing and oversight. The public was irate that the police took these risks when the knew a child was in the vehicle. Much of the information presented came from members of the public who scanned radio channels, hacked computer systems, etc.
All of this, plus the golden membership card, means that all charges are dropped. The chest thumping, back slapping and jumping for joy could be heard in police stations across the country. There is still so much to be uncovered about this story. But until a proper investigation takes place, and all of the information is made publicly available, Canadians can stand in shock. Police officers do indeed have license to kill the innocent, and will never be held to account for anything.
Signal High News Corporation continues to monitor this affair as it unfolds. If you have any information about this horrible incident, please reach out to us. Your identity will be protected.
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