Toronto police officer dead, chief says, after shooting during investigation believed to be tied to U.S.

A 43-year-old Toronto police force john constable has died after existence crack after an interchange of gunfire with a suspect in the northwest end of the city Thursday morning, according to Chief Myron Demkiw.

He said the investigation that occurred prior to the shooting was linked to several other shooting incidents around the Greater Toronto Area, including one that took place at the U.S. Consulate earlier this year.

The incident took place as police were carrying out a search warrant at a residential building near Tretheway Drive and Black Creek Drive around 5:42 a.m. An "exchange of gunfire" broke out and led to an officer being shot, said Toronto police on social media.

"There's a very heavy sorrow in our community right now," Demkiw said through tears at a news conference outside Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Const. Marc Pinizzotto had served with the Toronto Police Service for 18 years with the last five years on the emergency task force, he said. 

"No words can capture the impact on Marc's family, who expected him to come home today," Demkiw said. "We are doing everything we can to support them at this difficult time."

A 19-year-old suspect was still outstanding and Demkiw urged the man to turn himself in. He said the suspect was related to the broader investigation, which saw several search warrants executed today, and not necessarily the shooting with the officer.

Toronto paramedics said two people were taken to hospital earlier this morning, one with critical injuries and another in life-threatening condition.

Demkiw said one suspect is in hospital receiving emergency care.

Pinizzotto's family is devastated by the "heartbreaking" loss, said Toronto Police Association president Clayton Campbell.

“Our members put their lives on the line every day, and it is a tragedy that Marc did not return home safely to his family," he said.

The warrant executed before the shooting "may be linked to the United States," said U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra at an unrelated trade conference Thursday.

"Our thoughts, our prayers are with the family of the police person who was killed," he said.

Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre shared condolences on social media for the Toronto officer who was "killed in the line of duty."

"Today my thoughts are with them, and with all officers in uniform who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to keep Canadians safe," he said.

Toronto City Coun. James Pasternak said he was deeply saddened to hear an officer was shot on Thursday.

"Our first responders put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe," he said on social media. "We are grateful for their courage, dedication, and service."

The incident took place on the fourth floor of a residential building in the area, said resident Katalin Besenyei. She said she heard a gunshot and banging noises when she woke up.

Besenyei said the incident was "so scary," adding she saw blood on the floor of the elevator this morning.

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