A Toronto police officer was seriously injured early Monday after being struck by a vehicle during an attempted traffic stop connected to a reported vehicle theft, an incident police say is linked to an earlier shooting involving a victim under 18 years old .
Police were called to the area of Donlands Avenue and O’Connor Drive at 1:04 a.m. for a report of a stolen vehicle. According to investigators, officers attempted to stop the vehicle when shots were fired toward the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle then struck an officer before fleeing the scene.
Emergency crews responded to the nearby Leaside Bridge, where the injured officer was located. Paramedics transported the officer to the hospital with serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries.
Toronto police tell CityNews the Leaside Bridge confrontation is connected to the earlier shooting near Mortimer Avenue and Donlands Avenue, where a 13‑year‑old youth was shot and taken to the hospital with non‑life‑threatening injuries.
Authorities said the incident began at the Leaside Bridge, where the officer was struck. Officers then moved to a second scene at Mortimer and Donlands, where they located the suspect vehicle and the driver involved in the shooting.
The driver was taken to the hospital with non‑life‑threatening injuries and is now in custody. Police say one suspect remains outstanding, and no description has been released.
The Leaside Bridge remains closed, and Millwood Road is shut down from Overlea Boulevard to Donlands Avenue as the investigation continues.
Because officers discharged their firearms and a civilian was injured, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate.
The SIU is an independent civilian agency that probes incidents where people died or were seriously injured. Investigators also review incidents where sexual assault has been alleged, or a firearm was discharged at a person.
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