Police-Involved Shooting at Toronto Pearson International Airport Causes Major Disruption

Police-Involved Shooting at Toronto Pearson International Airport Causes Major Disruption

Toronto, ON – A police-involved shooting at Toronto Pearson International Airport early Thursday morning resulted in a man being shot by law enforcement officers, triggering a partial shutdown of the departures area in Terminal 1, the airport’s largest and busiest terminal, according to officials.

The incident unfolded around 8:30 a.m., a time when the terminal is typically crowded with domestic and international travelers. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and Peel Regional Police confirmed that the police were responding to a “serious incident involving a man in crisis” when the shooting occurred. Details surrounding what led to the confrontation remain limited, but authorities said the situation escalated quickly, prompting officers to use their firearms.

Emergency services were dispatched immediately, and the man was transported to a nearby trauma center. As of Thursday afternoon, hospital officials have not released information about his condition. Police have not yet disclosed the man’s identity, pending notification of his family.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene inside the terminal, with travelers scrambling for safety as airport announcements urgently called for evacuation of certain sections of the departures area. “It was sudden — we heard shouting, then shots. Everyone just ran,” said one witness, who had been checking in for a morning flight to Vancouver.

As a precaution, parts of Terminal 1 were placed on lockdown, and security personnel ushered passengers away from the scene. Several flights were delayed or redirected as a result. The GTAA later issued a statement advising travelers to check with their airlines for the latest flight updates and to expect extended wait times throughout the day.

“We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and staff,” the airport authority said. “While the situation has been contained, operations have been temporarily affected in certain areas.”

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah addressed the media just before noon, stating that a full investigation into the incident is underway, led by the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The SIU, an independent civilian agency that investigates incidents involving police that result in serious injury or death, will be examining the conduct of the officers involved, the nature of the threat posed, and the circumstances that led to the use of lethal force.

“The safety of the public is always our highest priority,” said Chief Duraiappah. “We understand the concerns this incident may raise, especially given its location at a major international travel hub. We are committed to transparency and accountability as the investigation progresses.”

Authorities have not confirmed whether the man was armed or what specifically prompted the shooting. Some reports suggest that officers attempted to negotiate with the man prior to the shooting, though these details remain unverified.

By early afternoon, portions of the terminal had reopened, and operations were slowly returning to normal, though the ripple effects of the disruption continued to impact flights and passenger processing.

This incident comes amid growing scrutiny of police use of force in Canada, particularly in situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. Advocacy groups have renewed calls for better training and increased availability of mental health professionals during high-stress emergency responses.

Travelers planning to fly out of Toronto Pearson are advised to allow extra time and monitor updates from both the airport and their airlines. The GTAA has also stated that additional security and support personnel are on-site to assist passengers and maintain safety.

Further updates are expected from the SIU as the investigation develops in the coming days.