Two Toronto police officers were injured in a shooting incident in North York on Tuesday evening.
According to Toronto Police Chief James Ramer, the officers were responding to a call about a disturbance at a residential building on Jane Street near Lawrence Avenue West around 7:30 p.m. When they arrived at the scene, they encountered a man who was armed with a gun.
The man opened fire on the officers, striking both of them. One officer was shot in the leg and the other in the hand. They were both taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and are expected to recover.
Ramer stated that the officers were able to return fire and the suspect was also injured. He was taken into custody and is currently in stable condition.
The incident has sparked an investigation by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which is standard procedure whenever there is an interaction between police and a civilian that results in serious injury or death.
The SIU has confirmed that two officers and one civilian are being investigated in connection with the incident.
Mayor John Tory expressed his concern for the injured officers and their families, stating that “this is a reminder of the dangerous work that our police officers do every day to keep our city safe.”
The Toronto Police Association also released a statement, saying “our thoughts and prayers are with our injured members and their families. We are grateful for their bravery and dedication to serving our community.”
The area around the residential building has been cordoned off as the investigation continues. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the SIU.
This incident serves as a reminder of the risks that police officers face while carrying out their duties to protect the public. The Toronto Police Service is committed to ensuring the safety of its officers and will provide updates on the situation as they become available.
