A Toronto police constable has died after being shot following an exchange of gunfire with a suspect in the northwest end of the city Thursday morning, Chief Myron Demkiw says.
Const. Marc Pinizzotto, 43, was “a hero in life, not death,” Demkiw said at a news conference outside Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
“There’s a very heavy sorrow in our community right now,” Demkiw told reporters through tears.
The shooting happened as officers were conducting an investigation linked to several other incidents involving firearms around the Greater Toronto Area, Demkiw said, including one that took place at the U.S. consulate in March.
An “exchange of gunfire” broke out while police were carrying out a search warrant at a residential building near Tretheway Drive and Black Creek Drive around 5:40 a.m., said Special Investigations Unit spokesperson Monica Hudon.
She said the police watchdog is investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting and officer’s death.
“No words can capture the impact on Marc’s family, who expected him to come home today,” Demkiw said. “We are doing everything we can to support them at this difficult time.”
A procession will be held from Sunnybrook to the chief coroner’s office at 1 p.m., according to a news release by Toronto police. Drivers can expect road closures along the route, they said.
A Toronto officer was shot dead Thursday. Here’s what we know
Hudon said police executed several search warrants at a building in the area this morning. At an apartment unit on the fourth floor, a suspect discharged a firearm and hit an officer, she said.
Another officer then shot multiple times at the 19-year-old suspect, who is now in hospital in critical condition, said Hudon. She said four other people were in the apartment unit at the time.
Demkiw said another 19-year-old suspect, Zara Jabbi, is still outstanding and urged the man to turn himself in.
He said the suspect was related to the broader investigation but he was not necessarily involved in the officer’s shooting.
Demkiw warned residents to contact police immediately if they see the suspect, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Hudon said the SIU is only investigating what took place in the apartment building and will not be looking at the outstanding suspect. She urged anyone with additional information to reach out to police.
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Pinizzotto’s family is devastated by the “heartbreaking” loss, said Toronto Police Association president Clayton Campbell.
“Our members put their lives on the line every day, and it is a tragedy that Marc did not return home safely to his family,” he said.
The officer’s loss and the family’s grief is shared by residents across Toronto, said Mayor Olivia Chow.
“We are so grateful for all who serve and continue to stand with those who keep our community safe,” she said, adding she knew Pinizzotto’s mother for over 20 years.
Demkiw said investigators and law enforcement officials met with the officer’s family at the hospital to confirm the news. Pinizzotto was an 18-year veteran of the force who spent the last five years on the emergency task force (ETF), he said.
“We will lean on each other as we navigate our way through this devastating tragedy,” he said, adding that ETF officers are trained to the “highest standard.”
Condolences poured in on social media for Pinizzotto and his family from U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and law enforcement officials.
“Our thoughts, our prayers are with the family of the police person who was killed,” said Hoekstra at an unrelated trade conference Thursday morning.
Carney also paid tribute to the death of Ontario Provincial Police Const. Tarun Bali, who died on Tuesday.
“Canada mourns the loss of these brave officers who dedicated their lives to protecting their communities,” he said.
The loss of Pinizzotto is a “sobering reminder” of the sacrifices made by police across Ontario, said Ontario Premier Doug Ford as he shared condolences online.
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Deputy Mayor Mike Colle said the loss was a “gut punch to everybody” in the city and serves as a reminder of the violence tied to the shootings that targeted the U.S. consulate and several synagogues in the GTA recently.
The incident was “so scary” and the sound of a single gunshot, followed by banging noises, could be heard from the sixth floor, said Katalin Beseneyi, who lives in the residential building. She said there was blood on the floor of the elevator this morning.
The CN Tower will be dimmed for the first five minutes of every hour today in honour of Pinizzotto, according to a post on social media.
