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Suspect facing 16 charges in shootout that shut down northern highway

Police looking for dash cam video from Highways 66 and 11 on the evening of March 7
2023-05-12-opp-stock

A Hamilton man is facing more than a dozen charges after a police chase and shootout and left one suspect dead and a bystander seriously injured.

Temiskaming OPP has released the name of the man charged in the March 7 police-involved shooting that started in Kirkland Lake and ended north of Latchford. Police are also looking for dash camera video from that evening. 

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) mandate has been invoked. Because the SIU is involved, today's update doesn't include new details on the investigation. 

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.

On March 7 around 5 p.m., the SIU says that OPP officers in Kirkland Lake stopped a vehicle and tried to arrest two men for drug-related offences. The driver fled and when police tried to stop the fleeing vehicle in the area of Highway 11 and Portage Bay Road, there was an exchange of gunfire. 

A 26-year-old man who was one of the vehicle's occupants was found dead. The other person fled the scene on foot and was later located and arrested by police. The man was not injured.

A 76-year-old bystander who lives in the area was seriously injured and brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

SEE: 'Exchange of gunfire': SIU confirms police-involved shooting north of Latchford
RELATED: Locked down on Highway 11 North, driver shares his experience

Awad Khan, a 23-year-old from Hamilton, is charged with 16 Criminal Code offences: 

  • Attempt to commit murder using firearm
  • Assault with a weapon
  • Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
  • Resist peace officer
  • Discharge firearm with intent
  • Assault peace officer
  • Firearm - use while committing offence
  • Flight from peace officer
  • Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
  • Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammo
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Pointing a firearm
  • Escape lawful custody
  • Discharge a firearm into or at a place in a reckless manner
  • Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
  • Dangerous operation

He is in police custody and is scheduled to appear in court on March 12.

None of the allegations have been tested in court and he is considered innocent unless proven guilty.

The Temiskaming OPP's crime unit is doing the investigation under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).

Anyone driving from Kirkland Lake to Latchford via Highway 66 or Highway 11 from 5-6 p.m. on March 7 who has dash cam video is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Police are also looking for people who "made observations" about a light-coloured smaller vehicle.

The SIU has also appealed for information. Anyone with information on the SIU investigation, including videos or photos, is asked to contact the SIU's lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.