Re: Shannon R. Kingston
ORB File No: 8041
Hearing held on: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Place of hearing: North Bay Regional Health Centre
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Ms. M. Labrosse
Members: Dr. W. Johnston
Dr. G. Nexhipi
Hon. E. Kruzick
Ms. D. Smith
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Shannon R. Kingston
Counsel: Mr. C. Bracken
The Person in charge of Hospital: Representative: Ms. C. Condie
Counsel: Mr. P. Trenker (via Zoom)
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. M. Mazurski
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated November 13, 2025)
Introduction
On March 15, 2022, Shannon R. Kingston was found not criminally responsible (“NCR”) on charges of assault with a weapon and assault peace officer with a weapon contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (“Criminal Code”) on account of mental disorder.
As a result, Ms. Kingston is currently under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Review Board (“ORB” or “Board”) pursuant to a Disposition dated, December 9, 2024, whereby she is detained at the North Bay Regional Heath Centre-North Bay (“NBRHC” or “hospital”).
Ms. Kingston’s Annual Hearing, originally set for July 9, 2025, and then August 21, 2025, was adjourned at her request to today’s date. On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, a panel of the ORB convened an in-person hearing at the NBRHC pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code to review the current disposition. Ms. Kingston was in attendance and represented by her counsel, Mr. C. Bracken.
Issues for the Hearing
- The issues for the Board on this hearing are whether Ms. Kingston remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and if so, what is the necessary and appropriate disposition considering the factors set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
Position of the Parties
- Counsel for all parties agreed on the issue of significant threat to the safety of public. Counsel for the hospital informed the Board that the hospital was seeking a Detention Disposition with no change to the terms and condition in last year’s order. Counsel on behalf of the Attorney-General and counsel for Ms. Kingston joined the hospital’s recommendations. As a result, this was a joint submission.
Findings
- For the Reasons that follow, the panel found that the threshold for significant threat is met, and that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current detention disposition.
Index Offences
- The allegations giving rise to the index offences are set out in last year’s Reasons for Disposition and summarized as follows:
"On Wednesday, September 8th, 2021, the victims, Mr. [RJ AND Mr. [L], were in attendance at 19 Manchester Avenue in the City of St. Catharines. Mr. [L] is employed as a security technician with Alliance Security and was present to review video surveillance for a related matter. Mr. [RJ, whose son is the owner of the apartment building, was present to provide Mr. [L] access to the building and office.
At approximately 12: 52 PM the accused exited her unit (306) and proceeded down the stairwell to the office where Mr. [R] and Mr. [L] were present. Mr. [R] conversed with the accused and asked if there was anything he could help with. The accused became aggressive and replied something similar to "my name is Shannon Kingston, I live in 306, mind your business. " The accused then said something similar to ''you disrespected me. "
Unknown to Mr. [R] and Mr. [L] was that the accused carried and possessed a BB gun which is defined as a weapon in the Criminal Code. The BB gun was concealed under the accused clothing so it would not be detected by Mr. [R] and Mr. [L]. It would later become evident, upon the accused discharging the BB gun, that the purpose for which the accused had possession of the BB gun was one which was dangerous to the public peace.
After the accused stated something similar to "you disrespect me" she removed a black BB gun from the front of her waistband and pointed it at Mr. [RJ and Mr. [L]. The accused discharged the BB gun which contained compressed gas and proceeded to discharge U 5-6 times in the direction of both Mr. [R] and Mr. [L]. It was evident by discharging the BB gun 5-6 times in the direction of both persons that it was not accidental and that the accused intended to wound Mr. [R] and Mr. [L}. The accused not only assaulted Mr. [R] and Mr. [L] but did so while carrying a weapon (BB gun) and discharging that weapon. Mr. [R] was hit 3 times by the accused includb1g, in the back twice and on his right wrist once. M1·. [RJ sustained minor in)WJ' to his wrist and 1°eceived medical attention at the scene by paramedics. Mr. [L] was hit once in his right shoulder and also sustained minor in)WJ' resulting in medical attention at the scene by paramedics.
At approximately 3:06 PM uniformed members of the Niagara Regional Police Service arrived at the scene. Constables Shah Engelen, Bagnulo and Pepperall attended the accused apartment (306). All officers were wearing a full police uniform and were readily identifiable as police officers and in the hallway outside the accused apartment. After a door knock was conducted the accused discharged the BB gun at the door. The accused said something similar to "get away from the door. " Constable Engelen advised the accused they were the police at which point the accused discharged the BB gun under the door. None of the officers were hit by the BBs and did not sustain and injuries.
At approximately 3:06 PM uniformed members of the Niagara Regional Police Service arrived at the scene. Constables Cristicini and Del Fabbro were positioned outside of the accused apartment (306). All officers were wearing a fi1ll police uniform and were readily identifiable as police officers. While positioned outdoors near the accused exterior balcony, an empty, brown, Coors Light, glass bottle was thrown from the interior of apartment 306 towards Constables Cristicini and Del Fabbro, narrowly missing them.”
Background Information
Ms. Kingston is a 30-year-old woman and was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. She is an only child. In Ms. Kingston’s early years her parents separated. Her mother, Tammy Kingston, resides in St. Catharines. Her father, Mike Kingston, resides in Cambridge, Ontario.
Ms. Kingston’s health records reveal that Ms. Kingston began to struggle with issues of self-esteem and depression early in her teens. She was hospitalized on several occasions for depression, substance use and suicidal ideation.
The Hospital Report recites that Ms. Kingston was asked to leave the family home in her teens because of problematic behaviour. Thereafter, she was homeless and, from time to time, resided with other family members and friends.
From 2016 to 2019 Ms. Kingston was involved in two separate relationships which led to her giving birth to two children, one in 2017 and the other in 2019. The children reside with her former partner, who in 2020 sought custody of them. In 2021 Ms. Kingston commenced a proceeding seeking joint custody of her two children.
Ms. Kingston has some secondary school education. She does not have an employment history and is financially supported by Ontario Disability Support Program (“ODSP”).
The index offences occurred in September 2021 while Ms. Kingston was residing in St. Catharines. On January 31, 2022, she was admitted to St. Joseph’s Health Care Hamilton (SJHCH) for a 30-day assessment. An extension for her hospitalization was requested and granted.
Ms. Kingston returned to court on March 15, 2022, and was found NCR. Thereafter Ms. Kingston remained at SJHCH until, on August 16, 2023, when, pursuant to a Disposition of the Board, dated July 7, 2023, she was transferred to NBRHC. Ms. Kingston was accepted to the female forensic rehabilitation unit, Hummingbird Lodge, to participate in the intensive trauma care program.
Her aunt, Grace Kingston, who lives in Cambridge, Ontario, completed the requirements to become an approved person in August 2024. Ms. Kingston has had successful visits with her aunt in the Cambridge area.
Current Diagnoses
- Ms. Kingston’s current diagnoses are set out in the Hospital Report as follows:
Schizoaffective Disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Substance Use Disorder, in remission in a controlled environment.
Evidence
The Hospital Report dated July 9, 2025, as amended, was made an exhibit at this hearing. Dr. Munro, who co-authored the Hospital Report testified at the hearing and adopted its contents. The Hospital Report will therefore only be referred to briefly.
Ms. Kingston’s current clinical status is succinctly summarized in the Hospital Report as follows:
Ms. Kingston’s clinical status has remained stable over the course of this reporting period. There has been no evidence of thought form disorder, nor symptoms of mood disorder or psychosis. Typically on mental status examination, Ms. Kingston makes good eye contact; her speech is normal and her affect euthymic. She is future oriented and is often described as pleasant and cooperative.
Ms. Kingston has developed good insight into her mental illness, and the need for treatment. During an interview completed for the purpose of updating an independent risk assessment, interviewers noted in their report dated July 7, 2025, that Ms. Kingston was able to state the consequences of not taking medication, understood her current diagnoses and was able to describe symptoms she had experienced. Additionally, they noted that Ms. Kingston demonstrated insight into the precipitating factors of her offences and appeared to understand the benefit she has received from engaging in treatment.
Dr. Munro testified that as a result of Ms. Kingston’s progression to the third phase of the trauma program, she was discharged from the hospital on July 30, 2025, to Maplewood House, a transitional facility run by hospital staff. The facility is staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and thereafter monitored by cameras with telephone access to the hospital 24/7.
Dr. Munro testified that things are going well for Ms. Kingston in Maplewood. Ms. Kingston keeps busy with activities including recreational therapy and is enrolled in the Literacy Program with the objective of earning her High School diploma. With the supervision she receives at Maplewood, Ms. Kingston is learning independent living skills. All in all, Ms. Kingston has had a successful transitional year in the treatment program and is the second graduate of the hospital’s three phase Hummingbird Lodge trauma program.
Over the next twelve months the treatment plan for Ms. Kingston is for her to continue working on her education and keep active in structured activities which she enjoys. When Ms. Kingston is ready, the plan is for her to secure part-time employment in the community. In that regard, the transition team will help Ms. Kingston to prepare a resume and to build interview skills.
The other long-term objective for Ms. Kingston is to transition to more independent housing when she is ready. The hospital team will be exploring employment and housing options for Ms. Kingston. Ms. Kingston’s other long-term objective is to eventually move back to Southern Ontario where her family reside. The focus of the treatment plan is to increase Ms. Kingston’s independence and to decrease her level of supervision.
For the Easter holiday Ms. Kingston was able to travel to Southern Ontario and spend time with her family. Another trip was planned for this October however her aunt will be visiting North Bay so that day visits will be arranged.
In response to a question from the panel, Dr. Munro opined that Ms. Kingston is doing well. However, mental health continues to be at risk for decompensation and therefore she remains a significant risk to the safety of the public. Ms. Kingston has a lengthy psychiatric history, including a history of unprovoked violence and aggression toward others. Dr. Munro also testified to Ms. Kingston’s history of non-compliance with medication and an extensive history of substance misuse dating back to early adolescence.
The Hospital Report sets out that the continued oversight and supervision afforded by a Detention Disposition, particularly during this early phase of Ms. Kingston’s transition, protects the safety of the public. There continues to be a risk of Ms. Kingston’s disengagement from support and for her to become non-compliant with medication. This would result in decompensation of her mental status. A return to substance use would further contribute to significant decompensation and put Ms. Kingston at a high risk of reoffending violently.
In response to another Board member’s question, Dr. Munro confirmed that thus far Ms. Kingston’s transition into the community has gone well. However, at this stage it was premature to consider a Conditional Discharge for Ms. Kingston. Ms. Kingston has only been in Maplewood for three months so that these are early days however that is the goal for her moving forward.
No further evidence was called.
Submissions of Counsel
- Counsel indicated that there was no change in their submissions from the commencement of the hearing and, accordingly, this represented a joint submission.
Analysis
Significant Threat
- On the evidence at this hearing and bearing in mind the joint submission of counsel for the parties, the Board unanimously and independently finds that Ms. Kingston continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public. In arriving at this determination, the board accept the uncontroverted evidence of Dr. Munro that Ms. Kingston continues to pose a significant threat. The index offences are serious. Ms. Kingston suffers from a schizoaffective disorder, a major mental illness complicated by substance use disorder. In our analysis, the Board also relies on the risk summary as set out in the Hospital Report.
Disposition
- In considering the paramount consideration, being the safety of the public, while also considering Ms. Kingston’s needs and her reintegration into society pursuant to s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code, we conclude that the necessary and appropriate disposition in the circumstances of this case is a Detention Disposition on the same terms and conditions as set out in last year’s Disposition.
Conclusion
- At the conclusion of the hearing the Alt. Chair congratulated Ms. Kingston on her progress this past reporting year. The panel wishes Ms. Kingston every success in the living arrangements at Maplewood and in the opportunities this arrangement presents for her further societal reintegration.
DATED this 13th day of November 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Emile Kruzick
Legal Member
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Office of the Registrar
Ontario Review Board