OPP Officer Manslaughter Trial: O’Rourke Testifies He Tripped Before Fatal Shooting

The OPP officer manslaughter trial of Const. Sean O’Rourke gave emotional testimony this week about the 2021 shooting that killed 24-year-old Nicholas Grieves. Grieves was from Windsor and a member of Six Nations of the Grand River.

O’Rourke, who has pleaded not guilty, testified that he accidentally fired the gun after he tripped, fell into the suspect’s car, and lost control.

The Incident: A Gas Theft Call Turns Deadly

On July 7, 2021, Ontario Provincial Police responded to a gasoline theft report along Highway 401 near Dutton, Ontario. Officers located the suspect vehicle and attempted a tandem stop, a tactic to box in a fleeing vehicle.

O’Rourke testified that the vehicle rammed his cruiser at 100 km/h, calling it a “violent, intentional” act. After the crash, the vehicle spun out and landed in a ditch.

‘Crazed’ Driver and a Trigger Pull O’Rourke Can’t Explain

According to O’Rourke, the driver appeared “crazed” and began reaching into the center console, which raised concerns about a potential weapon.

He approached the passenger side and says he lost balance, falling partly into the vehicle with his arms extended and firearm drawn.

“The gun went off. It completely shocked me. I didn’t know why. I didn’t know how,” O’Rourke told the court in tears.

Firearms Expert Says Gun Was Fully Functional

A gun expert who examined O’Rourke’s Glock 17M testified earlier in the trial that the weapon was in good working order. The court also heard that officers receive training to keep their fingers off the trigger during such encounters.

O’Rourke demonstrated to the court how he was holding his gun, claiming his fingers were on the slide, not the trigger, when the weapon discharged.

Aftermath: CPR and First Aid at the Scene

After he fired the shot, O’Rourke said he pulled himself out of the vehicle and began giving Grieves first aid and CPR. Emergency services later arrived and took over care, but Grieves died from the gunshot wound.

Justifying Use of Force

The officer told the court he believed his actions were in line with the police use of force model, which permits lethal force when there’s a perceived threat of serious bodily harm or death.

“I absolutely felt that the situation met the mandate of serious bodily harm or death,” he said.

What’s Next in the Trial

O’Rourke, who joined the Chatham-Kent OPP in 2004, has been suspended with pay since being charged in 2022. The Crown began cross-examination on Friday, questioning inconsistencies and the plausibility of his version of events.

The judge-alone trial continues at the Superior Court in Chatham, Ontario.

Do you believe officers should face stricter accountability when weapons are discharged during arrests? Share your thoughts in the comments.

More…

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/opp-manslaughter-trial-indigenous-orourke-grieves-1.7535927 
• https://www.ctvnews.ca/windsor/article/stumbling-explanation-a-fabrication-crown-grills-chatham-kent-opp-officer-on-trial-for-manslaughter
• https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6762468