The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has cleared a Regina Police Service officer of criminal wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old man on July 18, 2025. The independent civilian oversight body released its public report on August 19, 2026, concluding the officer’s use of force was legally justified.
The shooting happened in an alley between Garnet Street and Athol Street as plainclothes officers from the Major Crimes Unit attempted to arrest the man for murder. The man was a suspect in the July 14, 2025 homicide of Brandon Peji, 53, in Regina’s North Central neighbourhood. He had been arrested on July 16, released on July 17, and police were ordered to re-arrest him when additional evidence emerged.
According to the SIRT public report, the 22-year veteran officer believed the man was reaching for a black Glock handgun that police intelligence suggested he possessed. The officer fired a single round, striking the man in the left shoulder. The object turned out to be a black cellphone, though a black replica Glock was later found in the man’s backpack. Toxicology results showed methamphetamine and cocaine in the deceased’s system.
SIRT found that the officer’s split-second decision was proportionate given the information available at the time. The investigation included interviews with 16 witness officers, two civilian witnesses, and EMS responders. The officer voluntarily provided a statement, which SIRT noted had no legal obligation to do. No video evidence of the shooting was available.
Three people have been charged in the Peji homicide: Terrina Pelletier, 48, with first-degree murder, and Bradley Gardiner, 19, and Darcy Manitopyes, 19, with manslaughter and forcible confinement. Manitopyes also faces a charge of breach of conditions.
