Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after a Toronto police officer was shot while investigating a stopped vehicle Wednesday evening, the force said in a post on social media.
Police say the shooting happened around 5:30 p.m. near Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue and the officer was rushed to hospital. One person was arrested at the scene while another suspect is outstanding, police said in a post on X.
Police did not share details about the nature of the officer’s injuries.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has taken over the case because an officer fired their gun at the scene. Police did not say if it was the injured officer or another member of the force who used their firearm.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police officers in incidents that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
Politicians at all levels were quick to react to the incident with posts on X.
Mayor Olivia Chow wished the officer a full and quick recovery.
“Frontline officers put themselves in harm’s way everyday, and every officer deserves to go home safe,” she said.
A <a href=”https://twitter.com/TorontoPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@TorontoPolice</a> officer was shot this evening performing their duties. Frontline officers put themselves in harm’s way everyday, and every officer deserves to go home safe. <br><br>I wish the officer a full and quick recovery, and my thoughts go out to their family, friends and… <a href=”https://t.co/HekBPb1BNg”>https://t.co/HekBPb1BNg</a>
—@MayorOliviaChow
Marco Mendicino, MP for Eglinton-Lawrence, said he was extremely concerned by the news.
“Praying for the officer and all first responders involved,” he said.
Michael Kerzner, Ontario’s solicitor general, also said his thoughts are with the officer.
“Violence against police officers is never acceptable,” Kerzner wrote.