A Chatham-Kent OPP officer charged with manslaughter after a fatal shooting on Highway 401 last summer will return to court in late June following a judicial pre-trial.
Sean O’Rourke, a 24-year veteran officer, also faces a charge of criminal negligence causing death following the July 7, 2021, shooting during an officer response to a reported gas theft.
During O’Rourke’s brief appearance Wednesday, the court heard a judicial pre-trial has been arranged with the defense and an out-of-town Crown for May 19.
Court also heard the defense has requested the disclosure of further evidence in the case.
The case was adjourned to June 22 to provide time for the defense to receive and review the requested evidence, as well as to receive instructions following the judicial pre-trial.
There are two publication bans in place, including one that prohibits publication of any information that could identify the victim or witnesses, and another prohibiting the publication of any evidence heard during the pre-trial stage.
According to previously published reports, the charges against O’Rourke, 54, were laid by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on Jan. 14 following an investigation into the shooting that resulted in the death of a man.
O’Rourke, who joined the Chatham-Kent OPP detachment in 2004, has been suspended with pay since being charged by the SIU.
According to details previously released by Ontario’s police watchdog, Chatham-Kent OPP officers had been responding to a report of a gasoline theft near Ridgetown.
Officers found the car they believed the suspect was driving traveling west on Highway 401 and began to follow. The car ended up in the ditch dividing the highway near the Highgate exit.
“One of the officers approached the vehicle, and his firearm discharged and shot the driver,” the SIU previously reported.
The man later died in hospital. The Special Investigation’s Unit is a civilian oversight agency that investigates all cases of death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault involving police in Ontario.