The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the province has cleared a Toronto police officer of any wrongdoing in the shooting of a suspect who had fatally shot Constable Marc Pinizzotto in a North York apartment last June.
On June 11, 2026, the Emergency Task Force (ETF) officers conducted a raid on an apartment in the Black Creek Drive and Trethewey Drive area as part of an investigation into multiple shootings, including one at the U.S. Consulate in March.
According to the SIU, during the raid, a suspect identified as 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett fired a pistol at the officers, resulting in the death of Const. Pinizzotto, 43.
The SIU report stated that another officer returned fire, injuring Bennett. Despite his injuries, Bennett survived and was later charged with first-degree murder upon regaining consciousness in the hospital.
In a recent statement, SIU director Joseph Martino emphasized that the officers were left with no choice but to use lethal force to protect themselves in the face of imminent danger.
Martino highlighted that the officers acted in self-defense, believing their lives were at risk and reacting to prevent serious harm or death.
