(BlackburnNews.com file photo, courtesy blogspot.com.)(BlackburnNews.com file photo, courtesy blogspot.com.)
Chatham

Trial date set for OPP officer accused of fatally shooting man near Ridgetown

A trial date has finally been set for a Chatham-Kent Ontario Provincial Police officer accused of killing a man on Highway 401 near Ridgetown in the summer of 2021.

Sean O'Rourke, 56, is charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death in connection with the deadly shooting of a 25-year-old man in July of 2021.

Officer O'Rourke was responding to a reported gas theft near Ridgetown when the victim was shot in the upper torso. The victim later died at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

O'Rourke's trial will begin December 2, 2024 and is expected to last eight days.

Two publication bans are in place that prohibit any publication of information that could identify the victim or witnesses and another prohibiting the publication of any evidence heard during the pre-trial stage.

Read More Local Stories

A hockey puck on an ice surface. © Can Stock Photo / vencavolrab

Scoreboard, Jan 21

Matthew Knies scored twice and added an assist in Toronto's 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in NHL action Monday.

Freezing temperatures (Image by Михаил Руденко / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images)

Extreme cold blasts Chatham-Kent

Environment Canada and CK Public Health are warning of a risk of frostbite and hypothermia as extreme cold conditions settle into the area.