Toronto police officer shot while investigating robbery
A Toronto police officer is in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries after he was shot while investigating a stopped vehicle on Wednesday.
The shooting happened at about 5:30 p.m. near Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue and the officer was rushed to hospital, police said.
The suspect believed to be the shooter was arrested on Wednesday evening, police said, while two other suspects were arrested earlier.
A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Association (TPA) said in an email Thursday morning the injured officer, 29, is in "good spirits" and remains in hospital.
Speaking outside Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on Wednesday, Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said the shooting is another example of the dangers officers face in the city. He said members of 53 Division's major crime unit were investigating a robbery when they came upon a vehicle.
"Shortly after that encounter, one of our officers was shot. And at least one member of the service discharged their firearm," he said.
Demkiw said was relieved to report the officer is "doing well."
"He was shot in the abdomen and is here in the hospital surrounded by colleagues and family, being supported during what is obviously a difficult and challenging time," he said.
"This is the 637th time a police officer has been injured in the city of Toronto this year," Demkiw added.
Jon Reid, president of the TPA, said the injured officer has served with the force for five and a half years.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, right, speaks to reporters outside of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on Wednesday night. Jon Reid, president of the Toronto Police Association, is on the left. (CBC)
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating because an officer fired their gun at the scene.
In a news release Thursday, the SIU said that while two officers were investigating a robbery, they were approached by two men.
"One of the men shot an officer and fled," the release said. "A second officer discharged his firearm at the man who fled. The man was not struck."
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police officers in incidents that may have resulted in death, serious injury, allegations of sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
A Toronto police officer is in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries after he was shot while investigating a stopped vehicle on Wednesday. (Dale Manucdoc/CBC)
Nick Leung, a resident of the area, said he saw the aftermath of the shooting.
"I just saw a cop drive straight up from Redpath [Avenue] and jump out of his vehicle into the laneway and I saw him run straight in. I guess he couldn't catch the guy, so he ran back out, threw his hands up in frustration," Leung said.
Politicians at all levels were quick to react to the incident with posts on X.
Mayor Olivia Chow wished the officer a full and quick recovery.
"Frontline officers put themselves in harm's way everyday, and every officer deserves to go home safe," she said.
Marco Mendicino, MP for Eglinton-Lawrence, said he was extremely concerned by the news.
"Praying for the officer and all first responders involved," he said.
Michael Kerzner, Ontario's solicitor general, also said his thoughts are also with the officer.
"Violence against police officers is never acceptable," Kerzner said.
