A Toronto police officer has died after being shot during the execution of a search warrant early Thursday morning, in an investigation connected to multiple shootings, including one at the U.S. consulate on University Avenue in March.
Police say Const. Marc Pinizzotto was shot while officers were carrying out the warrant at a residential building. He was rushed to hospital and later died at Sunnybrook Hospital.
According to investigators, the search warrant was part of a broader probe into several shootings, including the incident at the U.S. consulate.
Police say officers entered a fourth-floor apartment unit during the operation, where a man discharged a firearm. Pinizzotto was struck, and another officer returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times.
Both the officer and the suspect were transported to hospital. Police say multiple warrants were issued as part of the ongoing investigation.
Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said 19-year-old Zara Jabbi is currently listed as an outstanding suspect, and is urging them to surrender to police.
Pinizzotto served with the Toronto Police Service for 18 years, including five years as a member of the Emergency Task Force.
A procession escorted Pinizzotto’s body from Sunnybrook Hospital to the Office of the Chief Coroner at 1 p.m. Thursday.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the exchange of gunfire.
