Toronto police say an off-duty officer was shot in the leg during a chase of a suspect wanted for attempted murder on a Canada-wide warrant.
The shooting happened at King and Bathurst streets at approximately 11:42 p.m. Saturday night, police say.
The off-duty officer recognized the suspect, identified as Javell Jackson, and alerted on-duty officers, police say. During the chase that ensued, the off-duty officer was shot in the upper-leg.
The officer sustained a serious but non-life-threatening wound and has since been released from hospital.
Police say Mr. Jackson from Toronto was wanted for an attempted murder involving a firearm in the city’s downtown. The 30-year-old suspect was arrested on the scene, and a firearm was seized. He is now facing a new attempted murder charge and numerous firearms charges.
“The incident demonstrates that our officers, even when off-duty, are committed to keeping our cities safe, sometimes at great risk to themselves,” Detective Sergeant Brandon Price of the Toronto Police Service’s homicide and missing persons unit told a news conference Sunday.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow wished a speedy recovery to the injured police officer.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford took the opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by Toronto’s police officers.