Canada: Ontario Provincial Police officer shot dead in shooting near Hagerville, 2 suspects arrested

“Our hearts are actually broken as a policing family,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique during a news conference late Tuesday evening.

Carrique reportedly said Pierzchala, who joined the OPP over a year ago, responded to a call about a vehicle in a ditch in the area of Indian Line and Concession 14 just after 2:30 p.m.

He said when the constable arrived and approached the vehicle, two occupants opened fire.

“I have no reason to believe that the officer had any opportunity to fire his weapon,” Carrique reportedly said.

Pierzchala sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After seeing the two suspects, a 25-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, seen fleeing the area in a vehicle, OPP issued an alert with released photos of the alleged suspects advising residents to shelter in place as they looked for the suspects.

Later the alert was cancelled following the arrest of the suspects.

“They were taken into custody in a very short period of time, and there was no immediate risk to any of the public (during) the time they were at large,” Carrique said.

In an earlier news conference, OPP Const. Ed Sanchuk said the investigation is in its early stages.

Pierzchala had just ended his probation period and was able to go on solo patrol for the first time on Tuesday.

It was confirmed by Carrique that Pierzchala was on his own when he responded to the call.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)