Toronto police Const. Marc Pinizzotto killed in west end shooting

Const. Marc Pinizzotto, 43, of Toronto police’s Emergency Task Force (ETF), was shot in the city’s west end early Thursday morning during an exchange of gunfire.

This marks the second death of an Ontario police officer this week.

“This tragedy comes just days after the loss of OPP Constable Tarun Bali and is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks our law enforcement officers face each and every day,” Ontario’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner wrote in a post on X.

Officers say they were executing a search warrant in the area of Tretheway Drive and Black Creek Drive shortly after 5:30 a.m.

Investigators say there was an exchange of gunfire. Pinizzotto was hit and rushed to hospital where he later died.

“He was with his team this morning conducting a high-risk takedown,” said the Toronto Police Association President Clayton Campbell.

READ MORE: ‘Really hits home’: OPP commissioner on death of constable in northern Ontario

Ontario’s police watchdog says the ETF team entered an apartment on the fourth floor, where five people were inside and a 19-year-old man shot the husband and father of twin 14-year-olds.

“The man discharged his weapon one time and the officer was struck one time,” said Special Investigations Unit (SIU) spokesperson Monica Hudon. “The officer fell, and then a second officer was behind that officer and he discharged his firearm multiple times at the man.”

The SIU says it is unclear where in the apartment the shooting occurred. Officers say the raid was part of a series performed Thursday morning carried out across the city.

Police are looking for 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett of Toronto, who they say will be charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of Pinizzotto.

Demkiw urges another outstanding suspect, 19-year-old Zara Jabbi, to turn himself in.

“The investigation that led to the search warrant concerned a number of shootings, including a shooting at the United States Consulate,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw.

Investigators say Jabbi is wanted in connection with the March shooting at the U.S. Consulate, in Toronto and is considered armed and dangerous.

WATCH MORE: Investigation underway after shots fired at U.S. consulate in Toronto

“They do pose a very high and significant risk,” said former Halton police officer and policing expert Stephen Metelsky at the University of Guelph-Humber.

Metelsky says ETF officers are usually first through the door in these gun investigation early-morning raids.

“They’re trained in a paramilitary sense, highly trained to do these high risk dynamic entries,” said Metelsky.

He says despite the elite training and preparation for these raids, officers can’t predict how suspects will behave.

“There are certain floating factors that you cannot plan for, regardless of how many ‘what-if’ scenarios,” said Metelsky.

READ MORE: Vehicle sought in U.S. consulate shooting investigation found: Toronto police

Pinizzotto is being remembered as a hero by colleagues and officials.

“Marc served the Toronto Police Service for 18 years, including five years as a specially trained Emergency Task Force Unit member,” Chief of Police Myron Demkiw says.

“No words can capture the impact on Marc’s family, who expected him to come home today. We as a service will support them and each other.”

“On behalf of the people of Ontario, I extend my sincere condolences to the family, loved ones and fellow service members of Toronto Police Service Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who was killed in the line of duty today,” Premier Doug Ford wrote in a post on X.

“There are no words that can ease the pain of the family,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “Their grief is shared across this entire city.”

Police are warning residents that if anyone sees Jabbi, to not approach him and to call 911 immediately.

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