Based on coverage from Times of India, CP24, Winnipeg Free Press, Orillia Matters, and Weekly Voice.
A Toronto police officer was seriously injured overnight after being struck by a stolen vehicle in East York, and the accused driver is a 12-year-old boy now charged with attempted murder. The case has also triggered an investigation by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) because police fired at the vehicle during the encounter.
Police say the incident began with a reported car theft near Donlands Avenue and O’Connor Drive just after 1 a.m. Monday. The boy’s identity can’t be published under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
East York stolen car incident timeline
According to Toronto police and the SIU, officers located the stolen vehicle and attempted to stop it on the Leaside Bridge. The SIU says two police cruisers tried to box the vehicle in.
As the driver tried to get away, police allege the vehicle struck an officer who was outside a patrol car. The officer was taken to hospital with serious injuries but later discharged.
The stolen vehicle was later found abandoned near Donlands and Floyd avenues, roughly a kilometre south of the bridge, according to the SIU. The driver was arrested on foot nearby around Donlands and Mortimer avenues.
SIU investigates officer-involved shooting
The SIU says the officer fired “multiple” shots in an attempt to stop the vehicle. Reports agree bullets hit the stolen car, but the exact number of shots hasn’t been confirmed.
A key detail is still unresolved: the SIU says it’s not yet clear whether the officer fired before or after being hit by the vehicle.
SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette said investigators also haven’t confirmed what caused the boy’s injuries. “The injury could be from a bullet, could be a graze, could be glass from the vehicle,” she said, adding they are non-life-threatening.
12-year-old charged with attempted murder
Police say the 12-year-old driver faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of property over $5,000, dangerous operation of a vehicle, failing to stop for police, assaulting a peace officer, and leaving the scene of an accident.
The boy was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, though sources describe that injury status slightly differently. The SIU and Canadian Press describe his condition as “serious but non-life-threatening,” while other reports refer to “non-life-threatening injuries” more generally. Either way, authorities say he is expected to survive.
Other children in vehicle and suspect outstanding
The SIU says there were two other occupants in the stolen vehicle, aged 12 and 13. Police say one of those occupants has been arrested and one remains outstanding. As of Monday, police said there was no suspect description immediately available for the outstanding youth.
CP24 also reported that five SIU investigators have been assigned, including forensic investigators and a collision reconstructionist.
Toronto police confirm link to separate East York shooting
One added wrinkle: Toronto police have confirmed this incident is connected to a separate shooting in East York involving a 13-year-old. No further details were provided in the reports shared, and it’s not clear how the two events are connected.
For now, the SIU investigation will focus on the officer’s injuries and the police gunfire, while the criminal charges against the 12-year-old driver move through the youth justice system.
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