UPDATE: One dead, officer seriously injured in Orillia shooting

Update (6:25 p.m.)

One person is dead and a police officer has been seriously injured following a shooting Thursday in Orillia, according to the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

In the post to X, the SIU said it is investigating the OPP officer-involved shooting that happened just before 2 p.m. on Cochrane Street.

In a news release, Orillia OPP said police responded to a report of an altercation at a home on Barrie Road. The investigation led them to an address on Cochrane Street, where one of the involved individuals was located.

“During the interaction, an officer was stabbed and sustained serious injuries,” police said. “The officer discharged their firearm and, as a result, the individual was pronounced deceased at hospital. The officer remains in hospital in stable condition.”

Orillia OPP Cst. Derek Tilley told OrilliaMatters police involved with the incident are being supported by the OPP and OPP Association.

"Everyone's going through and processing the incident as best they know how to and everyone's being supported through our association," Tilley said.

"The OPP and the OPPA are doing their best to support everyone and everybody involved, and we're just doing our best to complete, obviously, a thorough investigation and work cooperatively with the SIU to move this investigation forward and come to a conclusion."

Tilley added the Cochrane Street area, between Matchedash Street South and West Street South, will likely be closed for a "significant while" as SIU carries out its investigation.

"If everyone could avoid the area and just let them do their investigation, then that will offer them the time and the ability to do a thorough investigation as quickly as possible," he said.

The SIU said more information will be released later.

Original story

A large section of Cochrane Street is blocked off by police as the Orillia OPP carry out an active investigation in the area. 

OPP Central Region advised residents to avoid the area in a post on X at around 2:30 p.m. 

“Orillia OPP are actively involved in an investigation and all motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid the areas of West Street South at Cochrane Street and Matchedash Street South at Cochrane Street,” the post reads.

The Orillia Fire Department responded for a medical assist at the location, said deputy fire chief Chris Ferry, who said he cannot share any more details at this time. 

There were reports on social media that people heard gunfire. However, that has not been confirmed.

Orillia OPP did not immediately respond to requests for comment.