Toronto police say one suspect is in custody after an officer was shot while investigating an e-bike theft in Toronto’s downtown core.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said officers were called to the city’s St. James Town neighbourhood at around 3:20 a.m. for reports of a robbery involving an e-bike.
Officers located a suspect and a brief foot pursuit ensued.
During the arrest, she said, an officer was shot by the suspect in the upper thigh. Officers did not return fire, Pogue said.
“Officers immediately provided emergency first aid, applying a tourniquet to the officer’s leg while awaiting paramedics,” she said.
The officer, who has worked for the police service for about three years, was rushed to St. Michael’s Hospital and is currently receiving treatment for serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect was located a short distance away and taken into custody she said. A firearm was also recovered, she noted.
Pogue said the 27-year-old suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified, was out on conditions for firearm offences at the time of the incident. She added that he was also wanted for firearm and other serious offences in Peel Region and Waterloo.
A second suspect involved in the theft is still outstanding, she added.
More information, including the charges the 27-year-old is facing, will be released later today, Pogue said.
“Our thoughts are with the officer and his family and his colleagues and we are all hoping for a quick and full recovery,” she said during a news conference outside the hospital.
“While we are relieved that our officer is in stable condition, an incident like this has a profound impact on everyone in the Toronto Police Service and the broader policing family.”
‘Deeply concerning level of violence’
She called the incident a “stark reminder” of the violence officers can face.
“Think about what happened here. We had our officers responding to a call for a stolen e-bike. The person they encountered was carrying a firearm and when confronted by police, he allegedly used it to shoot one of our officers. That is an extraordinary and deeply concerning level of violence,” Pogue stated.
“There must be stronger consequences and meaningful deterrence for this type of violent criminal behaviour. What happened this morning is yet another troubling example of why this is necessary.”
She noted that the police service is grateful that the incident did not have a “more tragic outcome,” particularly at a time when members are continuing to grieve the loss of Const. Marc Pinizzotto.
Pinizzotto, a member of the emergency task force, was shot and killed in the line of duty back in June while executing a search warrant at an apartment building in North York.
“Here we go again. I’m at St. Mike’s Hospital with a police officer who has been shot out there trying to do their job,” Clayton Campbell, the president of the Toronto Police Association, said on Thursday morning.
“The violence we are seeing against our members (is) unacceptable.”
Campbell said so far this year, about 600 members have been injured in the line of duty.
“We have a police officer laying in there shot,” he said.
“We had a police murdered only a few months ago… We have someone out on bail for violent offences committing other violent offences.”
In a statement, the Police Association of Ontario said it was “saddened” to hear about this incident but “relieved” that the officer’s injuries are not life-threatening.
“Violence against police is unacceptable. The Police Association of Ontario stands united against such acts and remains committed to supporting our members who work tirelessly to protect our communities,” the statement, posted on social media, read.
“Our thoughts are with the officer, their loved ones, and everyone at the Toronto Police Association and Toronto Police Service. Wishing the officer a full and speedy recovery.”
In a written statement, Mayor Olivia Chow thanked officers who responded to the incident in Thursday morning.
“I understand the officer is expected to recover and I wish them a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with their loved ones, who I can only imagine are going through an incredibly stressful and difficult time,” she wrote on social media.
“The suspect has been arrested and the gun was taken off the streets. I want to thank the Toronto Police Service for their work responding to this incident and keeping our city safe. This is another reminder of what frontline officers face each day as they serve our city and work to keep people safe. We are grateful for their courage and commitment.”
