Toronto Police Service Const. Marc Pinizzotto was shot while executing a search warrant on June 11, 2026, according to Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw.
Tributes are flowing in for Marc Pinizzotto, a constable with the Toronto Police Service and former captain of an Ontario Junior Hockey League team from Mississauga, who was fatally shot while on duty early Thursday morning.
Pinizzotto was shot during a search warrant in the vicinity of Black Creek and Trethewey drives, as stated by Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw. With 18 years on the force, he was quickly taken to Sunnybrook Hospital, where he sadly passed away.
Authorities are still looking for a 19-year-old male suspect, while another suspect is currently hospitalized receiving treatment for injuries.
Pinizzotto resided in Oakville and leaves behind his wife and two children. He was just 43 years old.
Born in Mississauga, he later became captain of the OJHL Oakville Blades Jr ‘A’ club, achieving 145 points over 160 games and finishing his last season with an impressive average of 1.25 points per game.
He also had international experience playing for the Erfurt Black Dragons in Germany’s Oberliga.
“The Ontario Junior Hockey League is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former OJHL player Marc Pinizzotto, who lost his life in the line of duty while serving and protecting his community,” said the OJHL in a statement on Thursday. “His passing is a profound loss for his family, his colleagues, his community, and the entire hockey world.”
He had also served as an instructor at the Oakville Rangers Hockey Club Skills Academy.
Marc Pizzotto, right, was a captain of the Oakville Blades Jr. ‘A’ club before playing in Germany. (Photo: oakvillerangers. ca)
Const. Marc Pinizzotto and his family are seen in this photo provided by the Toronto Police Service. (Photo: TPS)
The love for hockey runs deep in the Pinizzotto family. His brother Steve played in the NHL with teams like Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers before moving to Red Bull Munich in Germany where he secured three consecutive championships. The third brother Jason also played professionally in Germany’s DEL2 league where he ranked as one of its all-time top goal scorers before retiring in 2018.
All three brothers were part of the Oakville Blades Jr. ‘A’ club at one time.
“No words can capture the impact on Marc’s family, who expected him to come home today. We as a Service will support them and each other,” Chief Demkiw expressed. “This loss will have a profound impact on the Toronto Police Family. Our Service, our members, and all members of the larger policing family are deeply saddened.”
Marc marks yet another tragic loss among police officers from Ontario’s Peel area recently; Tarun Bali from Brampton also lost his life while performing duties earlier this week.
Bali had been with OPP for two-and-a-half years as part of Dufferin Detachment when he tragically died after being struck by a driver during an investigation near Hearst town-about 260 kilometers west of Timmins.
Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged their sacrifice saying that Canada “mourns the loss of these brave officers who dedicated their lives to protecting their communities.”
“My prayers are with their loved ones, their fellow officers, and their communities during this time of grief,” Carney stated.
– With files from The Canadian Press, Steve Pecar and Glenn Hendry
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Const. Marc Pinizzotto and his family are seen in this photo provided by the Toronto Police Service. (Photo: TPS)
The love for hockey runs deep in the Pinizzotto family. His brother Steve played in the NHL with teams like Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers before moving to Red Bull Munich in Germany where he secured three consecutive championships. The third brother Jason also played professionally in Germany’s DEL2 league where he ranked as one of its all-time top goal scorers before retiring in 2018.
All three brothers were part of the Oakville Blades Jr. ‘A’ club at one time.
“No words can capture the impact on Marc’s family, who expected him to come home today. We as a Service will support them and each other,” Chief Demkiw expressed. “This loss will have a profound impact on the Toronto Police Family. Our Service, our members, and all members of the larger policing family are deeply saddened.”
Marc marks yet another tragic loss among police officers from Ontario’s Peel area recently; Tarun Bali from Brampton also lost his life while performing duties earlier this week.
Bali had been with OPP for two-and-a-half years as part of Dufferin Detachment when he tragically died after being struck by a driver during an investigation near Hearst town-about 260 kilometers west of Timmins.
Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged their sacrifice saying that Canada “mourns the loss of these brave officers who dedicated their lives to protecting their communities.”
“My prayers are with their loved ones, their fellow officers, and their communities during this time of grief,” Carney stated.
– With files from The Canadian Press, Steve Pecar and Glenn Hendry
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 45,465 Votes
All Time: 1,382,912 Votes
645 VOTES
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