A 33-year-old man was killed in a police-involved shooting in Scarborough early Wednesday, moments after a Warden station TTC collector was robbed at gunpoint.
Toronto police officers received a 911 call after the TTC collector pushed an emergency alarm button shortly after midnight, alerting them to an armed robbery in progress at the collector’s booth.
At gunpoint, a “very seasoned, very experienced” TTC collector handed over a small amount of cash and the man fled with the money. A TTC union executive says the collector was not injured during the robbery.
Police quickly canvassed the area for the suspect, searching a nearby Toronto Community Housing building at 682 Warden Ave., just a few minutes’ walk from the station.
Officers found a man matching the description of the alleged robber outside. The Special Investigations Unit says there was then an “interaction” between the man and police that resulted in the man being fatally shot.
He was struck by at least one bullet, according to the SIU. Paramedics pronounced the man dead on scene.
The SIU arrived on scene shortly after 4 a.m. Eight investigators and three forensic investigators to look into the incident.
Police tape cordoned off the large TCHC building, and a ravine behind it. One resident said the man who was killed lived in the building.
Glen Johns, a resident in the building, saw 10-12 officers running through a nearby ravine around 12:30, coming from the direction of Warden station. Not long after, he heard “a couple of gunshots.”
Medlyn Parchment, who lives in a nearby building, saw a police car in chase shortly before the shooting.
“(The car) did a good skid, and as I open the window, you can see the cop by the car with his gun drawn, and then three shots,” Parchment said.
Manny Sforza, executive vice-president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said the TTC collector was inside the booth and used the alarm button to alert transit control of an emergency.
“He’s a very seasoned, very experienced member. Almost 24 years on the job. And he handled himself extremely well, remained calm throughout the incident and handed over a very small amount of money.”
“We’re very thankful that there are no serious injuries,” he added. “Fortunately incidents like this don’t happen very often.”
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SIU investigates fatal shooting following robbery at Warden subway station | Toronto Star
Toronto police officers received a 911 call after the TTC collector pushed an emergency alarm button shortly after midnight, alerting them to an armed robbery in progress at the collector’s booth.
At gunpoint, a “very seasoned, very experienced” TTC collector handed over a small amount of cash and the man fled with the money. A TTC union executive says the collector was not injured during the robbery.
Police quickly canvassed the area for the suspect, searching a nearby Toronto Community Housing building at 682 Warden Ave., just a few minutes’ walk from the station.
Officers found a man matching the description of the alleged robber outside. The Special Investigations Unit says there was then an “interaction” between the man and police that resulted in the man being fatally shot.
He was struck by at least one bullet, according to the SIU. Paramedics pronounced the man dead on scene.
The SIU arrived on scene shortly after 4 a.m. Eight investigators and three forensic investigators to look into the incident.
Police tape cordoned off the large TCHC building, and a ravine behind it. One resident said the man who was killed lived in the building.
Glen Johns, a resident in the building, saw 10-12 officers running through a nearby ravine around 12:30, coming from the direction of Warden station. Not long after, he heard “a couple of gunshots.”
Medlyn Parchment, who lives in a nearby building, saw a police car in chase shortly before the shooting.
“(The car) did a good skid, and as I open the window, you can see the cop by the car with his gun drawn, and then three shots,” Parchment said.
Manny Sforza, executive vice-president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said the TTC collector was inside the booth and used the alarm button to alert transit control of an emergency.
“He’s a very seasoned, very experienced member. Almost 24 years on the job. And he handled himself extremely well, remained calm throughout the incident and handed over a very small amount of money.”
“We’re very thankful that there are no serious injuries,” he added. “Fortunately incidents like this don’t happen very often.”
more
SIU investigates fatal shooting following robbery at Warden subway station | Toronto Star