Hatton Family Files $17.5 Million Lawsuit Over Fatal Police Shooting

The Hatton family of Innisfil, Ont., has filed a $17.5 million lawsuit against the South Simcoe Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and other defendants following a 2024 shooting that killed one son and injured another, according to reporting from CBC Toronto.

The statement of claim, filed July 14, names six South Simcoe police officers and the service's police chief, alleging negligence and wrongful conduct. The lawsuit stems from an Aug. 15, 2024, incident where police responded to a family dispute. Family lawyer Asha James stated the family sought help during a mental health crisis, but police treated the call as a "tactical operation" rather than a request for assistance.

According to a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) report, officers encountered 19-year-olds Liam and Dylan Hatton in a vehicle. The SIU reports an officer fired multiple rounds after the vehicle was driven toward him. After Liam was slumped in the driver's seat, Dylan allegedly moved into the driver's seat and reversed toward another officer, prompting further gunfire. Liam Hatton died from a gunshot wound to the head, while Dylan Hatton suffered "lifelong injuries," per CBC Toronto.

While the SIU concluded in December 2024 that officers used "reasonable force" and found no basis for criminal charges, the civil suit seeks accountability for the death and the subsequent conduct of the OPP. The family is suing the OPP for a "negligent investigation" after the agency laid seven charges against Dylan—including dangerous operation of a vehicle and assaulting a peace officer with a weapon—which the Crown withdrew in October 2025.

South Simcoe Police Service spokesperson Samah Othman confirmed the service is aware of the claim and noted the involved officers remain employed. OPP spokesperson Gosia Puzio declined to comment.