A 12-year-old boy is in the hospital and facing charges, according to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), after he was shot at by police while driving what’s believed to be a stolen car in Toronto’s east end early Monday.
Initially, police reported that an officer sustained serious injuries as the driver tried to escape, but later updates from the SIU indicated that the officer has been released from the hospital.
The boy faces several charges, including attempted murder, theft of a motor vehicle, and assaulting an officer.
Officers responded to reports of a stolen vehicle in East York near Donlands Avenue and O’Connor Drive just after 1 a. m., as noted by Toronto police on X.
During a news conference on Monday, SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette mentioned that two police cruisers, each carrying two officers, tried to stop the vehicle on a bridge. While doing so, there was “contact” between the vehicle and one or both of the cruisers.
The SIU looks into incidents involving officers that could lead to death, serious injury, sexual assault or firearm use against individuals.
Denette stated that one officer fired multiple shots at the vehicle. At some point during this event, that same officer exited their cruiser and was struck by the vehicle.
“We don’t yet know the sequence of events,” she said when asked if shots were fired before or after the officer was hit.
Denette added that there were two other youths in the car at that time-one 12-year-old and another 13-year-old. One was arrested while police continue searching for the third individual.
The injured officer was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries but has since been released, according to Denette.
The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries as well; however, Denette noted they remain serious.
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The SIU’s Kristy Denette said there were two other youths in the vehicle at the time of the incident, including another 12-year-old and a 13-year-old. (CBC)
Denette couldn’t confirm whether any injuries resulted from gunfire but did mention multiple projectiles struck the car driven by the boy.
“The injury could be from a bullet; it could be a graze; it could be glass from the vehicle. We don’t yet know that,” she explained.
The car was abandoned at Floyd Avenue and Donlands Avenue, while authorities apprehended the driver on foot at Mortimer Avenue and Donlands Avenue.
Denette pointed out that all events-the alleged theft of the vehicle, gunfire exchanged, collision with an officer, and subsequent arrest-occurred within a three-kilometer radius.
The TTC reported several detours for routes in that area on Monday.
Police union concerned about violence against officers
Clayton Campbell , president of Toronto’s police union , commented generally speaking , officers only use firearms when their lives are threatened , noting it can be hard to see who’s inside a car during pursuits.
