A police officer shot while on duty in Timmins is expected to recover from his injuries, says the OPP Commissioner.
In a video statement about the incident on Night Hawk Lake that led to the arrest of a man now charged with murder and attempted murder, Thomas Carrique talked about the massive search effort that played out on the outskirts of Timmins over the last three weeks.
“Our thoughts are with our injured officer, his family, our fellow officers and all those who were impacted by this incident as we deal with yet another officer seriously injured in the line of duty. Miraculously, given the fact he was shot our officer is currently doing well and is expected to recover from his physical injuries,” he said.
The investigation, said Carrique, started on May 18 when 30-year-old Marcel Thoma was reported missing.
Five days later, on May 23, his body was found in a wooded area in Egan Township, southwest of Matheson.
“Although not on duty at the time, Marcel was a proud, serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces. We extend our condolences to his family and the members of the Canadian Armed Forces he proudly served alongside,” said Carrique.
In the weeks that followed, there was a massive manhunt for 43-year-old Lucas MacDonald of Egan Township, who was wanted on several breach of recognizance warrants and was a person of interest in the murder investigation.
OPP units from across the province were deployed to the area to help in the search effort in "remote and challenging terrain", said Carrique, who also confirmed that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were involved.
The search ended on June 12 on Moose Island on Night Hawk Lake.
Carrique thanks the public for staying vigilant during the search, particularly the people who provided critical information that led to the arrest.
“Each and every day, police officers risk their lives and personal safety to ensure our communities remain safe,” he said.
Police watchdog's mandate invoked
Because officers fired their guns during the arrest, the Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate.
The SIU is an arms-length agency that investigates police-involved incidents where there has been a death, serious injury, allegations of sexual assault, or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
RELATED: 'Exchange of gunfire' in arrest of wanted man in Timmins: SIU
Details released by the organization yesterday say there was an exchange of gunfire that saw five officers discharge their guns. An officer was shot. MacDonald didn't suffer any serious injuries and was arrested.
Four investigators and two forensic investigators are working on the case.
Once the investigation is completed and the SIU director makes a decision based on the evidence, the full report is publicly available.
Anyone with information on Wednesday's incident, including video or photos, should contact the SIU lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
Serious charges
MacDonald is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Thoma, said Carrique. He is also charged with attempted murder using a firearm for the incident in which the officer was shot.
RELATED: Murder, attempted murder charges laid after Timmins manhunt
None of the charges have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
The accused is in police custody and scheduled to appear in court today (June 14).
Anyone with information on the police investigation should call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
