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Fred Preston Pronounced Dead

Fred Preston of Burk's Falls, Ont., who was involved in an interaction with police on March 8, 2010, in Huron East, was pronounced dead at the Victoria Hospital in London this evening.

On Monday, Mr. Preston, 70, was wounded during an interaction with two officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) that involved an exchange of gunfire. Mr. Preston was shot and taken to a London hospital where he remained in critical condition.

Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-0748 or 1-800-787-8529.

The SIU is an arm's length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must

--  consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in
    connection with the incident under investigation
--  depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if
    appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
--  report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General.