A Barrie police sergeant has been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) after a 21-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound in September.
Barrie police Sgt. Michael Chytuk, a 28-year member of the Barrie Police Service, has been charged with one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. He is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie on Feb. 4.
Barrie police says Chytuk has been suspended with pay.
The SIU announced Tuesday afternoon that director Tony Loparco had determined there were reasonable grounds to lay the charge.
In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Barrie police say the officer was responding to a robbery around 4 a.m., on Sept. 17, 2018, at a Barrie plaza when there was an "altercation" involving the officer and an occupant of the vehicle.
According to the SIU, its investigation determined that Barrie police officers located "persons of interest" at a gas station on the corner of St. Vincent and Grove streets.
The two men and two females fled the scene in a vehicle. As the vehicle passed one of the officers, the SIU says the officer discharged his firearm at the vehicle.
The vehicle crashed into a tree a short time later at the bottom of St. Vincent Street and the four occupants inside the vehicle fled on foot.
Three of the individuals were located and arrested.
On Oct. 10, 2018, the fourth individual was arrested by Toronto police officers and it was discovered that he had sustained a gunshot wound.
As the matter is now before the courts, SIU officials said they will make no further comment pertaining to the investigation.
Barrie police say their Professional Standards Unit will also be conducting a review following the completion of the court proceedings.
The SIU investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
