{"id":13955,"date":"2022-12-28T06:26:02","date_gmt":"2022-12-28T06:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ambassadornews.org\/?p=13955"},"modified":"2022-12-28T06:26:06","modified_gmt":"2022-12-28T06:26:06","slug":"opp-officer-killed-in-shooting-near-hagersville-ont-2-suspects-in-custody","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ambassadornews.org\/en\/opp-officer-killed-in-shooting-near-hagersville-ont-2-suspects-in-custody\/","title":{"rendered":"OPP officer killed in shooting near Hagersville, Ont.; 2 suspects in custody"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 28-year-old officer who joined the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) over a year ago was killed in a shooting near Hagersville, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon, and two suspects are now in custody<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shooting occurred at the intersection of Indian Line and Concession 14<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPP Const. Ed Sanchuck said Const. Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala attended the area for reports of a “vehicle in a ditch,” and when he arrived, he had an “interaction” with two occupants<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a late Tuesday evening update, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the occupants of the vehicle opened fire, resulting in Pierzchala sustaining life-threatening gunshot wounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I have no reason to believe that the officer had any opportunity to fire his weapon,” Carrique said<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pierzchala was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A search for the two suspects, a 25-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, who fled the scene in a vehicle, subsequently commenced. OPP issued an alert advising residents in the area to shelter in place as they looked for the suspects<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the alert, police released two photos of the suspects but only identified one of them — Randall Mckenzie. They added that the suspects were believed to be armed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Randall<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The alert was later cancelled following the arrest of the suspects. It is unclear where they were apprehended<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey 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,\u201d Carrique said<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The male suspect was taken to the hospital with injuries considered to be not serious, Carrique said. When asked if the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate, the commissioner said the agency had not done so. The SIU is called to investigate incidents involving police where there has been a serious injury, death or allegations of sexual assault<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carrique added that charges will be announced on Wednesday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unknown. “We’re in the early stages. It’s a fluid, ongoing investigation,” Sanchuk said<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There’s just a lot of details to go through, so we’re putting the pieces of the puzzle together<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPP are urging anyone with information to contact them at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘GREG’ REMEMBERED<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday began as a momentous day for Pierzchala, who was a former Queen’s Park special constable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There’s a 10-month probation period that an officer has to go through — a very extensive evaluation of their performance. And today, Greg had received notice that he has successfully completed that probationary period,” Carrique said<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the end of his probation period, Pierzchala was able to go on solo patrol for the first time on Tuesday. Carrique confirmed the 28-year-old was on his own when he responded to the call<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Greg<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“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,” Carrique said. “And unfortunately, he paid the ultimate sacrifice doing so today”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commissioner said he spoke to Pierzchala’s colleagues, who described him as an “exemplary” and “tremendous” officer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It is with an extremely heavy heart that I regretfully advise that #OPP<\/a> Provincial Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala was killed today while courageously serving in the line of duty. Our hearts are with his loved ones and all OPP members at this tragic time. #HeroesInLife<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Chg9RKiYTt<\/a><\/p>— Thomas Carrique (@OPPCommissioner) December 28, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>