A man is dead following an early morning shooting involving police outside of Toronto Pearson Airport, the province’s watchdog says.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating an incident at the airport’s Terminal 1 Departures, where Peel Regional Police officers fatally shot a 30-year-old man.
The incident occurred shortly before 7 a.m., the SIU said in a press release, where officers were investigating a man in an SUV who showed signs of distress.
In a press scrum on Thursday, police said they received a call to resolve a dispute between two to three individuals, who were all on the airport grounds for travelling purposes. But when one of the individuals emerged with a firearm pointed at the responding officers, two out of the three discharged their weapons at the man.
The man was transported to hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
The SIU confirmed that no police officers were injured in the exchange, and there is no further threat to the public. Peel police assured that the officers are co-operating with the SIU, and are willing to submit body camera footage to assist with the investigation.
Toronto Pearson Airport says that flights are continuing to operate normally, but is redirecting Terminal 1 Departures traffic to Terminal 1 Arrivals, as police have closed the roadway due to the investigation.
Heavy police presence remains at the scene.
Flights at Toronto Pearson continue to operate normally at this time.
— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) April 24, 2025
Please use the roadway to Terminal 1 Arrivals as the roadway to the Terminal 1 Departures remains closed for a Peel Police investigation. The parking garage in Terminal 1 remains open. Police say this is an… https://t.co/bVDijf6c19
Passengers on route to the airport recounted a chaotic scene, some reportedly seeing dozens of police cars and officers with their rifles out.
Came back to Toronto to a possible shooting at the airport? They’ve told vehicles to turn around and exit #pearson #airport #toronto pic.twitter.com/tGMaGtBx5i
— Diego Hernán Barra (@iamUrbvnex) April 24, 2025
One X user witnessed multiple people exit vehicles and walk to the airport, as cars are being rerouted from the scene.
Just heard Pearson T1 is now locked down. Dozens of people abandoning their Ubers (and now being turned back). Anyone know what’s up? pic.twitter.com/mEPdIzW1tZ
— Preet Banerjee (@preetbanerjee) April 24, 2025
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php
