Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has terminated a police-involved shooting investigation in Brampton after it determined that there is no evidence to suggest any passengers in a suspect vehicle were struck by police gunfire.

On Sept. 16, Peel Region police were investigating a shooting on Highway 410 near Sandalwood Parkway.

A vehicle was found in a ditch. It contained D’rae Rhooms-Peters, an 18-year-old from Brampton who was killed, and another man who was struck by gunfire and taken to trauma centre with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

A short distance away, officers in a police truck attempted to block the path of a suspect vehicle, a black Audi SUV. One of the officers fired five rounds toward the SUV as it attempted to escape in reverse.

SIU interim director Joseph Martino said the vehicle was struck four times by bullets, but forensic examination did not reveal any evidence to suggest injuries to any of the occupants.

“There was no indication of any bullet penetration into the interior of the vehicle, nor did the SUV’s interior contain any blood,” Martino said in a decision released Oct. 18.

“Accordingly, as the evidence suggests that no one was seriously injured or killed by the police firearm discharges, the SIU is without statutory jurisdiction to proceed with its investigation.”

The SUV was left abandoned, and there were reports of a stolen Uber vehicle, a Honda Pilot, in the area where the suspect vehicle was located. Police are still looking for that vehicle and the suspects.

Peel’s homicide and missing persons bureau is investigating the shooting, which is the region’s 19th homicide of 2019. Anyone with information can contact investigators at 905-453-2121, ext. 3205. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

Iain Colpitts is a reporter for Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian. Reach him via email: icolpitts@mississauga.net

Read more about: