Toronto Pearson Airport Shooting: A man has died following a police-involved shooting at Toronto Pearson International Airport’s Terminal 1 early Thursday morning, prompting a large-scale emergency response and an investigation by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
According to an SIU press release, Peel Regional Police officers responded just before 7 a.m. to reports of a “man in distress” inside a grey SUV parked near the departures area of Terminal 1. Preliminary details indicate the man, believed to be 30 years old, produced a firearm during the encounter, prompting three officers to discharge their weapons.
The man was shot outside the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident.
Peel police confirmed that the event was an “isolated incident” and assured the public that there was no ongoing threat to passenger safety. Despite the heavy police presence, airport operations were largely unaffected. Flights continued to run on schedule, though access to certain areas around Terminal 1 was restricted.
Toronto Witness Accounts Paint Chaotic Scene
Eyewitnesses present during the event recounted moments of confusion and fear. Danilo Simic, who had just dropped off a friend and was planning his return to Hamilton, described hearing over ten loud bangs.
“I knew it wasn’t a car backfiring,” Simic told CBC News. “It was something sharp and deliberate. I ducked inside my car instinctively.”
As he drove off, Simic observed a man lying on the pavement, bleeding from his torso and head, while an officer administered CPR. He also saw police restraining a distraught woman near the scene.
Another witness, Jake Seymour, who was at the lower level of the airport at the time, reported hearing multiple gunshots. He rushed upstairs in an attempt to provide aid but found that emergency responders were already on-site.
“Exits in the area were blocked off,” Seymour said. “The incident didn’t happen right where passengers exit but rather on a secondary road closer to the parking structure.”
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Police and Emergency Services Flood Terminal 1
Photos from the scene show a grey Jeep Cherokee cordoned off with police tape, surrounded by evidence markers. The SUV’s trunk was open, and several Peel Regional Police cruisers were parked nearby. At least a dozen police vehicles were spotted en route to the terminal, further intensifying the response.
Despite the dramatic police presence, many passengers continued to make their way through the terminal. Some were seen wheeling their luggage between flashing cruisers to access the airport.
Peel paramedics confirmed they responded at 6:56 a.m., though the man was already beyond medical help upon their arrival.
Transportation and Traffic Disruptions
While the airport confirmed that flights were operating normally, the shooting caused significant disruption to access roads around Terminal 1. The departures roadway was closed to traffic, and the Ontario Provincial Police shut down access from Highway 409. Passengers were advised to use alternate routes such as Terminal 1 Arrivals, Terminal 3, or the Viscount Station Kiss and Fly lot, with airport trains operating as a shuttle.
The TTC’s 900 Airport Express bus was rerouted to Terminal 3 due to police activity, although the UP Express train service remained unaffected.
SIU Launches Investigation
The SIU, an independent civilian oversight agency that investigates police conduct in incidents involving serious injury, death, firearm discharge, or allegations of sexual assault, has taken over the investigation.
Spokesperson Kristy Denette confirmed that investigators are on-site to collect evidence and interview witnesses. The agency will determine whether police actions were in accordance with protocol and assess the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
The identity of the deceased has not been publicly released as authorities work to notify next of kin. Details regarding the type of firearm allegedly produced by the man have also not been disclosed.
Broader Context of Police-Involved Shootings
This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of police use of force in Ontario. It follows recent fatal police-involved shootings in Brampton and Etobicoke, with the SIU also investigating those cases. Advocates continue to call for more transparency and accountability in how officers respond to perceived threats, especially in high-stakes environments like airports.
The SIU has urged anyone with video footage or information about Thursday’s shooting to come forward as the investigation continues.
Authorities have yet to announce a timeline for when findings from the investigation will be made public. In the meantime, law enforcement remains stationed at the airport to ensure continued safety and support the ongoing inquiry.
