TORONTO — A solemn police motorcade moved through rainy streets on Sunday afternoon, carrying the body of Toronto Police Const. Marc Pinizzotto to a funeral home in Thornhill, as colleagues and mourners gathered to honor an officer killed in the line of duty.
Pinizzotto was fatally shot on Thursday at an apartment building on Martha Eaton Way while investigating multiple shootings, including an earlier incident connected to the U.S. Consulate case. Authorities say he was actively working on the investigation when the deadly exchange of gunfire occurred.
Police have charged 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. Bennett was also injured during the confrontation. A second suspect, 19-year-old Zara Jabbi, who is wanted in relation to the consulate shooting, remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
During the motorcade, officers lined city streets in a final salute as the procession passed. OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk, speaking during a livestream of the event, paid tribute to Pinizzotto, saying: “To Const. Marc Pinizzotto, your duty is complete. Your watch has ended, and today we escort you home. Rest in peace, Marc. We have it from here.”
He described the fallen officer as someone who served with deep courage and commitment, consistently prioritizing public safety above his own.
“Each day he wore the uniform, he did so with a deep sense of responsibility, placing the needs of the citizens above his own and without hesitation,” Sanchuk said.
The Ontario Provincial Police also expressed condolences to Toronto police, noting the shared grief across law enforcement following a series of recent line-of-duty deaths in the province.
Among them was OPP Sgt. Brandon Malcolm, 33, who died in a motorcycle crash on April 27, and OPP Const. Tarun Bali, 29, who was struck and killed during an investigation in Hearst while assisting in a separate case.
In that incident, 18-year-old Justin Veronneau has been charged with first-degree murder and other offences.
Tributes to Const. Pinizzotto have poured in from across Canada, including messages from Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, all honoring his service and sacrifice.
Funeral arrangements for Pinizzotto are expected to be announced in the coming days as the Toronto Police Service prepares formal ceremonies to celebrate his life and service.