Attempted murder suspect in Welland police shooting now faces 20 charges

A 59-year-old man charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a police officer in Welland, Ont., last month is facing a slew of additional charges.

Niagara Regional Police had issued a shelter-in-place order in the area of Plymouth Road and Second Street around 7:45 a.m. on Dec. 19 after police were met with gunfire while assisting bylaw officers with a fencing complaint at a former church turned residence.

An officer was shot in the chest during the exchange, and police said the suspect had barricaded himself inside a home he owns. The officer was taken to hospital as a precaution and was later released with minor injuries.

WATCH MORE: Officer injured in Welland shooting, residents ordered to shelter in place

Officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect, Daniel Tronko, for nearly 24 hours and they sent remote cameras into the home, which were all shot at and disabled.

Following the day-long standoff, Tronko was arrested and charged with attempted murder, discharge firearm with intent, reckless discharge of a firearm and unauthorized possession of a firearm. Detectives had said Tronko could face additional charges as the investigation continued.

The Special Investigations Unit, Ontario’s police watchdog, had said that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the “serious injury” Tronko suffered after he was shot by a police officer. He was taken to an out-of-town hospital to be treated for his injuries.

WATCH MORE: 24-hour standoff in Welland concludes with arrest, shelter in place lifted

In an update Tuesday, Niagara police say Tronko is now facing 20 charges, including:

• Six counts of attempted murder with a firearm;
• Six counts of discharge of a firearm with intent;
• Two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm;
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
• Two counts of possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition;
• One count of possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition;
• Possession of a prohibited device; and
• Careless use and storage of firearms.

Tronko remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.

Anyone with further information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at (905) 688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009451.

Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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