The family of two teenage brothers who were shot by police during a distressing incident in the summer of 2024 has taken legal action by filing a $17.5-million lawsuit against the South Simcoe Police Service, four officers, and the Ontario Provincial Police.
The tragic event unfolded on August 15, 2024, when law enforcement responded to a family dispute at a residence on Shoreview Drive in Innisfil, near Barrie. The Special Investigations Unit reported that Liam and Dylan Hatton, the twin brothers involved, remained inside an SUV despite police instructions to exit the vehicle. When the SUV started moving towards the officers, they opened fire, resulting in Liam being fatally shot in the head. Dylan, attempting to reverse the vehicle, was also hit by police gunfire and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Ontario Provincial Police undertook a separate investigation and subsequently charged Dylan Hatton with various offenses related to his interaction with law enforcement during the event.
Despite the SIU’s findings clearing the South Simcoe officers of any misconduct, attorney Asha James, representing the Hatton family, described the situation as “devastating.” The lawsuit aims to hold the responsible parties accountable for Liam’s tragic death and address the family’s concerns regarding the handling of the situation by law enforcement.
The parents of Liam and Dylan expressed their disappointment in law enforcement’s response, stating that the authorities treated the incident as a tactical operation rather than addressing a mental health crisis. They emphasized that seeking police assistance should not have resulted in the loss of their son’s life and the severe injury of another.
Lawyer Asha James highlighted that the lawsuit also intends to scrutinize the conduct of the Ontario Provincial Police, especially considering that the charges against Dylan were ultimately dropped due to insufficient evidence.