TORONTO, June 11 (Xinhua) -- A Canadian police officer was shot and killed in Toronto early Thursday during a raid connected to a series of recent firearm incidents, including a previous shooting at the U.S. Consulate, local police said.
Toronto police said the incident occurred at around 5:40 a.m. local time when officers were executing a search warrant at a residential apartment building. An exchange of gunfire broke out inside the building, leaving one officer mortally wounded.
The fallen officer has been identified as 43-year-old Constable Marc Pinizzotto, an 18-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service. Pinizzotto was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead later.
According to police, the raid was part of a broader investigation into multiple shootings across the Greater Toronto Area, including the high-profile attack in March, during which multiple shots were fired at the U.S. Consulate building in downtown Toronto.
One suspect involved in Thursday's gunfire was hospitalized and remained in critical condition. Meanwhile, Toronto police have launched a manhunt for a second suspect, identified as 19-year-old Zara Jabbi.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow have publicly expressed their condolences to the officer's family and colleagues.
