Officer shot chasing wanted man

Off-duty cop was struck in leg while tracking down man who faces attempted murder charge

- ASMA SAHEBZADA AND ILYAS HUSSEIN

Toronto police investigate the scene at King and Bathurst streets Sunday after an off-duty police officer was shot during an arrest late Saturday night. A 30-year-old suspect, who had a Canada-wide warrant for attempted murder and numerous other charges, was arrested at the scene.

An off-duty Toronto police officer was shot as he and other officers were arresting a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in the city’s downtown core late Saturday night.

Police said they were conducting an investigation in the Bathurst Street and King Street West area just before 11:45 p.m. when the offduty officer was shot in the upper leg.

The officer was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was later discharged Sunday morning.

Police added he is currently recovering at home.

Det.-Sgt. Brandon Price from the force’s Homicide and Missing Person Unit told reporters Sunday morning at 14 Division that the officer was in the area when he recognized a man wanted on a Canadawide warrant for attempted murder and numerous other charges.

Price said the officer, who works in 51 Division, “promptly alerted on-duty officers” who then started to approach the man to apprehend him.

This led to a short foot chase by uniformed officers during which the accused, who was believed to be alone at the time, reportedly shot the off-duty officer in the leg while he tried to assist his colleagues, he said.