Toronto police constable killed in line of duty during search warrant

Another police officer was killed in the line of duty today.

A Toronto Police Service officer was shot and killed while executing a search warrant in the area of Black Creek and Trethewey Drive, the Toronto Police Service said. 

Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, a member of the Emergency Task Force (ETF), was wounded by gunfire in the area.

He was given emergency care by Toronto Tactical Paramedics and rushed to hospital. He was treated at Sunnybrook but later died despite efforts by hospital staff, the Service said.

Pinizzotto had served the Toronto Police Service for 18 years, including five years as a specially trained ETF member. 

In confirming the death, Chief Demkiw said: "It is with deep and profound sorrow that I must confirm the death of Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto, age 43, of our Emergency Task Force."

Demkiw, accompanied by Toronto Police Association President Clayton Campbell, met Pinizzotto's family at the hospital. The Chief said the loss "will have a profound impact on the Toronto Police Family."

The Service was "doing everything we can to support them at this time," Demkiw said, noting that many of Pinizzotto's ETF colleagues had remained at the hospital throughout the morning. He described the constable as "A hero in life, not death."

Search warrant tied to multiple shootings; suspect sought

The search warrant was part of an investigation into a number of shootings, including one at the United States consulate on University Avenue, the Toronto Police Service said. Several warrants were executed across the city that morning.

Police said one suspect remained outstanding and identified him as Zara Jabbi, 19. "I urge you to turn yourself in," Demkiw said. The Service said further details would be released as they became available.

The Halton Regional Police Service offered condolences in a post on X. Chief Steve Tanner said his service "mourns alongside policing partners following this tragic loss" and that the sacrifice "will not be forgotten."

Earlier this week, an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) constable was killed in the line of duty after being struck by a motor vehicle during an active investigation near Hearst, in northern Ontario.

Four police officers in Canada have died in the line of duty this year. The other two were: