A Toronto police officer was fatally shot Thursday during an operation linked to a March shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, authorities said. Constable Marc Pinizzotto, 43, was pronounced dead at a Toronto hospital after being struck by gunfire while officers from the Emergency Task Force executed search warrants at a high-rise building in North York, according to the Toronto Police Service.
Background
The shooting comes weeks after two individuals fired multiple shots at the U.S. Consulate building on March 10, 2026, using a handgun before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. No injuries or serious damage were reported in that incident, though Canadian authorities indicated they would investigate it as a national security matter.
In the months following the consulate shooting, Toronto police investigated a series of shootings connected to the same suspects, including overnight gunfire targeting multiple synagogues in the greater Toronto area in March. The increased frequency of attacks prompted an expanded investigation involving federal and local law enforcement agencies.
U.S. prosecutors, in a May court filing, linked the consulate shooting to Mohammad Baqer Saad Al-Saadi, an Iraqi national accused by American authorities of running a terrorist network behind multiple plots across the U.S., Canada and Europe. According to court documents, Al-Saadi is alleged to have discussed the consulate shooting in a recorded phone call with associates.
The Investigation
Pinizzotto was struck during an exchange of gunfire on the fourth floor of the North York building where officers were executing warrants related to the series of shootings, police said. He had served 18 years with the Toronto Police Service and was a member of a special Task Force Unit.
Nicholas Bennett, 19, was arrested at the scene with gunshot wounds and remains hospitalized in custody. He faces charges of first-degree murder in connection with Pinizzotto's death, according to Toronto Police Chief Myron Demik.
The second suspect, Zara Jabbi, also 19, is considered armed and dangerous and remained at large Thursday afternoon. Authorities released a photo of the suspect and urged the public not to approach if spotted.
"If you see him, do not approach," police said in a statement. "Call 911 immediately."
Key Takeaways
- Constable Marc Pinizzotto, a Toronto police officer with 18 years of service, was fatally shot during an operation linked to a March shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto
- Nicholas Bennett, 19, has been charged with first-degree murder and remains hospitalized with gunshot wounds in police custody
- Zara Jabbi, also 19, is considered armed and dangerous and is the subject of an active manhunt
- The consulate shooting on March 10 involved two individuals firing multiple handgun rounds at the building before fleeing
- U.S. prosecutors have linked the incident to Mohammad Baqer Saad Al-Saadi, an Iraqi national accused of running a terrorist network connected to Kataib Hezballah
What's Next
Toronto police continue the search for Jabbi, urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact authorities immediately. Bennett is expected to appear in court once his medical condition permits. The investigation into the broader series of shootings, including connections to the U.S.-linked terrorism case involving Al-Saadi, remains active.