Toronto police officer killed during probe into US consulate attack

A Toronto police officer was fatally shot on Thursday while carrying out a search warrant linked to a March attack on the United States consulate, authorities said. Police Chief Myron Demkiw identified the officer as 43-year-old Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who was shot and later died of his injuries in hospital.

Demkiw explained that the warrant "concerned a number of shootings, including the shooting at the United States consulate" and that several warrants were executed that morning. One suspect involved in Thursday's shooting is in custody at the hospital, while police continue searching for a second suspect, identified as 19-year-old Zara Jabbi. Police consider him armed and dangerous.

"I urge you to turn yourself in," Demkiw said during a news conference.

The investigation stems from a March incident where two individuals emerged from a vehicle and fired several rounds at the US consulate in the early hours. The building was empty and sustained only external damage. No one was killed or injured, and federal police are investigating whether it constituted a "terrorist" attack.

Details remain unclear, but the consulate had been the site of tense protests and counterprotests over the US-Israel war against Iran.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed condolences, saying she had known the officer's family for 20 years. "The death of Police Constable Marco Pinizzotto is heartbreaking news for our city," Chow said in a social media post. "There are no words that can ease the pain for the officer’s family, loved ones, and colleagues across the service. This grief is shared across the entire city."