Ontario Police officer killed in shooting near Brantford, 2 held

A 28-year-old Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was killed in a shooting near Hagersville, Ontario Tuesday afternoon.

OPP Const. Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala, the deceased officer, was reportedly shot while responding to a call about a car in a ditch just after 2:30 p.m. When he approached the vehicle said to be in a ditch in the area of Indian Line and Concession 14, Pierzchala was reportedly shot at by the two occupants in the vehicle, according to OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.

“Our hearts are actually broken as a policing family…I have no reason to believe that the officer had any opportunity to fire his weapon,” OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique stated during a news conference Tuesday evening.

The slain OPP officer reportedly sustained serious injuries after the shooting and was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Soon after, the OPP initiated the search for the two suspects, a 25-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, supposedly seen fleeing the area. The police authorities issued an alert alongside a photo said to be of one of the suspects. The alert was cancelled shortly after both the suspects were reportedly arrested.

“They were taken into custody in a very short period of time, and there was no immediate risk to any of the public (during) the time they were at large,” Carrique added while at the press conference, adding that the male suspect was taken to a hospital with non-severe injuries.

“This is a man who, at five years old, decided he wanted to be a police officer. And he had a brief opportunity to live out his dream and to do his best to keep our community safe…and unfortunately, he paid the ultimate sacrifice doing so today,” Carrique said.

Taking to Twitter to express his condolences, Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated, “OPP Provincial Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala was killed while honouring his oath to protect his province. He represents the best of us.”

“My prayers are with him, his family and friends. It’s impossible to understand their grief right now. Ontario is thinking of you,” Ford added.

OPP Provincial Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala was killed while honouring his oath to protect his province. He represents the best of us.

My prayers are with him, his family and friends. It’s impossible to understand their grief right now. Ontario is thinking of you. https://t.co/7If3OQh0Yr

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) December 28, 2022