To his mother, Linda, Marc Pinizzotto was “an incredible father, son, husband, coach and friend of many.”
To the people across the country sending condolences and tributes after his death in the line of duty, the Toronto police officer was a hero.
In a tribute to her son shared on social media Friday, Linda Pinizzotto said her family is heartbroken by his loss but grateful for all the support they have received.
“We are forever sincerely grateful for your heartfelt blessings, wonderful messages of condolence, and kindness,” she wrote. “His passing echoes deep inside us; our loving family is shattered as we search for words.”
Const. Marc Pinizzotto, 43, died after being shot at a fourth-floor apartment building in northwest Toronto Thursday while officers were investigating multiple shootings, including one at the U. S. Consulate in March.
Hours after his death, hundreds of officers stood shoulder to shoulder, some wiping their eyes as a procession carried Pinizzotto’s body from Sunnybrook hospital to the office of the chief coroner. Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw tearfully called him a “hero in life, not death.”
PHOTOS | Toronto officer shot and killed in the line of duty:
A number of officials have paid tribute to him including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
At the House of Commons Thursday, lawmakers began question period mourning the fallen officer and stated that Ottawa was supporting the investigation into his killing.
WATCH | PM Carney pays tribute to 2 fallen Ontario officers:
‘We’re in their debt forever’: Carney grieves deaths of 2 Ontario police officers
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed ‘it was with very heavy heart that day began’ on Thursday after Const. Marc Pinizzotto died during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect-this incident followed OPP Const. Tarun Bali’s death on Tuesday. ‘The country [mourns] with their families, their loved ones, their fellow officers, their communities,’ Carney said.
Mayor Chow mentioned that she’s known Pinizzotto’s mother for years and expressed gratitude for his service while sharing that Torontonians feel this family’s grief deeply.
Premier Ford extended his sympathies to Pinizzotto’s family and colleagues via a post on X stating that this shooting serves as “a sobering reminder of the sacrifices and risks faced by police officers across Ontario every day as they work to keep our province safe.”
A number of city councillors from Toronto and various Greater Toronto Area police services also released statements honoring Pinizzotto Thursday. The CN Tower announced its bright lights would dim for five minutes at every hour on Thursday night.
This tragedy comes just days after Ontario Provincial Police Const. Tarun Bali lost his life when he was struck by a vehicle near Hearst in northern Ontario. A procession transporting Bali to a funeral home in Thornhill was scheduled for Friday morning.
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‘We’re in their debt forever’: Carney grieves deaths of 2 Ontario police officers
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed ‘it was with very heavy heart that day began’ on Thursday after Const. Marc Pinizzotto died during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect-this incident followed OPP Const. Tarun Bali’s death on Tuesday. ‘The country [mourns] with their families, their loved ones, their fellow officers, their communities,’ Carney said.
Mayor Chow mentioned that she’s known Pinizzotto’s mother for years and expressed gratitude for his service while sharing that Torontonians feel this family’s grief deeply.
Premier Ford extended his sympathies to Pinizzotto’s family and colleagues via a post on X stating that this shooting serves as “a sobering reminder of the sacrifices and risks faced by police officers across Ontario every day as they work to keep our province safe.”
A number of city councillors from Toronto and various Greater Toronto Area police services also released statements honoring Pinizzotto Thursday. The CN Tower announced its bright lights would dim for five minutes at every hour on Thursday night.
This tragedy comes just days after Ontario Provincial Police Const. Tarun Bali lost his life when he was struck by a vehicle near Hearst in northern Ontario. A procession transporting Bali to a funeral home in Thornhill was scheduled for Friday morning.
The hockey community mourns
Pinizzotto worked tirelessly protecting his community as an emergency task force officer; he also had a strong love for hockey according to what his mother shared Friday. The officer inspired countless young Oakville Rangers hockey players whom he coached along with his brothers over nearly ten years-club president John Vedon remarked. “That’s about as good a legacy as I think a hockey guy could ever want to have,” he said. The Ontario Junior Hockey League issued a statement Thursday offering condolences to Pinizotto’s family , colleagues , and community , noting that his passing represents a loss felt “across the entire hockey world.”Man facing charges; another still sought: police
Police report that 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett faces first-degree murder charges related to Pinizzotto’s death. They indicate Bennett suffered multiple gunshot wounds during exchanges fired upon him but remains hospitalized. A second suspect , identified as 19-year-old Zara Jabbi , is currently at large. Authorities state Jabbi should be considered armed and dangerous regarding involvement tied specifically around consulate shooting incidents. Further information about ongoing investigations will likely be shared soon , according reports from law enforcement agencies involved. The investigation being undertaken Thursday aimed towards understanding multiple shootings cases-including connections made towards incidents occurring within U. S.-Consulate premises-has surfaced links surrounding an arrest made recently linked through FBI activity against terrorism threats emerging overseas. Last month , it came out publicly that FBI arrested Iraqi-Irani Mohammad Al-Saadi-a senior member associated with U. S.-designated terrorist organizations such as Kata’ib Hizballah & Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-who allegedly has ties leading back toward approximately twenty attacks taking place throughout Europe / America alongside two occurrences reported occurring within Canadian borders specifically targeting consulates earlier this spring period.Source link
