The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has launched an investigation into a June 15, 2026, incident in East York where a 12-year-old boy allegedly struck a Toronto police officer with a stolen vehicle. The officer, who fired his weapon multiple times during the confrontation, was hospitalized with serious injuries and has since been released. The youth faces an attempted murder charge, while the SIU works to determine the circumstances surrounding both the officer’s injury and the boy’s own non-life-threatening injuries.
Did You Know? The Special Investigations Unit is an arms-length agency mandated to investigate any incident involving police that results in death, serious injury, allegations of sexual assault, or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
How the incident unfolded
Toronto police officers responded to an auto theft call near Donlands and O’Connor Drive shortly after 1 a.m. According to the SIU, two police cruisers attempted to box in the suspect vehicle on the Leaside Bridge. During the encounter, the driver allegedly struck an officer who was outside of his cruiser.
The officer fired his weapon multiple times at the vehicle, which was carrying the 12-year-old driver, another 12-year-old passenger, and a 13-year-old passenger. The SIU has not yet confirmed whether the shots were fired before or after the officer was struck by the vehicle. The suspects later abandoned the car at Donlands and Floyd avenues, where the driver was apprehended on foot at Donlands and Mortimer avenues.
Status of the investigation
Five investigators, including three forensic specialists and a collision reconstructionist, have been assigned to the case. SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette stated that while bullets did strike the stolen vehicle, the exact number of shots fired remains under investigation. Investigators are also working to determine the cause of the driver’s injuries, noting they could result from a bullet, a graze, or broken glass from the vehicle.
Expert Insight: The involvement of an arms-length agency like the SIU is a standard procedure in Ontario when police use force resulting in injury. The investigation will likely focus on the timeline of the officer’s use of force relative to the vehicle strike, which is central to determining if the actions taken align with legal standards for police conduct in high-risk apprehension scenarios.
What happens next
The 12-year-old suspect faces charges including attempted murder, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of property over $5,000, dangerous operation, failing to stop for police, assaulting a peace officer, and leaving the scene of an accident. Because he is a minor, his identity remains protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to search for one outstanding occupant of the vehicle. A second occupant was apprehended following the incident. As the SIU gathers evidence, the findings could lead to further assessments regarding the conduct of the officers involved or the progression of the criminal case against the youth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges is the 12-year-old suspect facing?
The youth is charged with attempted murder, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of property over $5,000, dangerous operation, failing to stop for police, assaulting a peace officer, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Are the injuries sustained by the officer and the suspect life-threatening?
No. The officer was treated for serious injuries and has been released from the hospital. The suspect also sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Why is the Special Investigations Unit involved in this case?
The SIU is required to investigate all incidents involving police where there is a serious injury or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
How should local communities balance the need for public safety with the complex legal requirements of policing youth offenders?
