Toronto police link several shootings to gun-for-hire networks

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw says investigators have linked multiple shooting investigations, including shots fired at the U.S. Consulate in March, to gun-for-hire networks that have also targeted synagogues in the city.

At a Tuesday press conference, Demkiw added that local officers are working with the RCMP and the FBI to figure out who is behind the shootings.

During a raid last week linked to several shooting investigations, a long-serving Toronto police officer was killed.

On Thursday, 43-year-old Const. Marc Pinizzottio was shot while carrying out a search with other officers at an apartment building in the city’s northwest. He later died in hospital.

Pinizzotto’s accused shooter, 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett, is in hospital after being shot by police.

Officials say he will be charged with first-degree murder. He is also expected to be charged in connection with two other shootings targeting a business and a high-rise apartment.

Also recently arrested and charged is 18-year-old Sheldon Tracy-Stewart for the U.S. Consulate shooting.

Zara Jabbi, 19, is wanted in connection with the same shooting. Police say he is believed to be armed and dangerous.

According to investigators, surveillance video shows two suspects exiting a car on University Avenue before firing several rounds at the U.S. Consulate in the early morning hours of March 10. No one was injured.

Demkiw said officers were able to recover two firearms during their operation on Thursday. Those weapons have been linked to multiple shootings in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Both guns originated from the United States.

A nine-millimetre handgun recovered has been linked to at least six shootings in the GTA, while a .45-calibre handgun found by officers has been linked to “at least 21 incidents” in the GTA.

Investigators believe there are multiple networks behind the crimes. The shooters involved tend to be “younger in age.”

Police add it seems as if the weapons used in the shootings are being swapped around within the networks.

Toronto’s Chief Supt. Joe Matthews said there is an overlap between these investigations and recent shootings targeting tow trucks and waste management companies. No further details regarding this comment were provided.

Pinizzotto’s funeral is set to be held at the Toronto Congress Centre on June 24. It will not be open to the general public. Although, people can observe the funeral procession from the Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home.

With files from The Canadian Press.