Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A Toronto police officer who was fatally shot during a police raid earlier this month was remembered on Wednesday as a man deeply committed to his profession, as family members, fellow officers and officials gathered at his funeral.
Hundreds of people paid tribute to Const. Marc Pinizzotto at the Toronto Congress Centre.
The funeral service followed a procession through the streets of Toronto. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were among several officials in attendance at the funeral.
Pinizzotto was shot on June 11 while carrying out a search at an apartment building as part of an investigation into multiple shootings, including one at the U.S. Consulate in March. The veteran police officer, who was 43, died later in hospital.
Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said Pinizzotto was part of the force’s emergency tactical unit, undertaking high-risk, complex operations. Pinizzotto was a mentor to many officers, Demkiw said.
Pinizzotto’s daughter Daniella called him “the building blocks to my life.” His son, Domenic, said his father is his role model and he hopes to be like him when he is older.
Linda Pinizzotto, the officer’s mother, described him as an “amazing son with a heart of gold.” She added that he had played professional hockey in Germany before deciding to become a police officer.
The man accused of shooting Pinizzotto, 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett, was shot and injured by police and remains in hospital. Bennett has been charged with first-degree murder as well as offences related to two other shootings. #toronto #police
A Toronto police officer who was fatally shot during a police raid earlier this month was remembered on Wednesday as a man deeply committed to his profession, as family members, fellow officers and officials gathered at his funeral.
Hundreds of people paid tribute to Const. Marc Pinizzotto at the Toronto Congress Centre.
The funeral service followed a procession through the streets of Toronto. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were among several officials in attendance at the funeral.
Pinizzotto was shot on June 11 while carrying out a search at an apartment building as part of an investigation into multiple shootings, including one at the U.S. Consulate in March. The veteran police officer, who was 43, died later in hospital.
Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said Pinizzotto was part of the force’s emergency tactical unit, undertaking high-risk, complex operations. Pinizzotto was a mentor to many officers, Demkiw said.
Pinizzotto’s daughter Daniella called him “the building blocks to my life.” His son, Domenic, said his father is his role model and he hopes to be like him when he is older.
Linda Pinizzotto, the officer’s mother, described him as an “amazing son with a heart of gold.” She added that he had played professional hockey in Germany before deciding to become a police officer.
The man accused of shooting Pinizzotto, 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett, was shot and injured by police and remains in hospital. Bennett has been charged with first-degree murder as well as offences related to two other shootings. #toronto #police
