The alleged shooter of a Toronto cop has been arrested and is now in custody.
After a shootout with Toronto Police in which an officer working in plain clothes was struck in the abdomen, the alleged gunman fled in a stolen car heading north.
But not for too long. The OPP spotted a black Honda Civic fitting the description of the one believed to be carrying the alleged shooter, and they engaged a pursuit.
“They rammed him,” said a police source.
Then they arrested the 21-year-old and one other occupant in the car. They were taken into custody. In total three suspects have been arrested in connection with the 5:30 p.m. shooting on Lillian Street, in the Yonge and Eglinton area.
The first arrested is believed to be a 15-year-old. At this time, little is known about the third suspect.
But there is plenty known about the alleged shooter.
So far Toronto Police have not indicated what charges will be laid but are expected to provide an update this morning.
Sources say they have in custody a young man by the name of Tibor Organa. Sources say he has had a long history with drug and alcohol issues, has been in the criminal justice system on numerous charges, including gun offences that were not proceeded with last year in Northern Ontario.
He was on bail at the time of this alleged shooting for what is described as charges before the court, including break and enter and non-compliance of probation conditions including being prohibited from possessing a firearm.
None of the previous charges have been tested in court.
That said, a police officer came close to being murdered. Const. Tade Davoudi is fortunate to be alive.
The 29-year-old, a five-year cop out of 53 Division’s Major Crime Squad, did yeoman’s work in working to arrest suspects in a car theft case. During a chase and tussle, he was shot but, sources say, also shot back at the accused.
The SIU, which has invoked its mandate, said early indications are the accused was not struck with the bullet. Meanwhile Davoudi remains in Sunnybrook Hospital in serious condition but is expected to make a full recovery.
He’s not the first officer hurt this year. In fact, he was the 637th.
It’s a stunning number and should alarm every person in the city – specifically the political leaders who seem to have no answer for the escalating violence.
“I think this is another example of the dangers our officers face,” Chief Myron Demkiw told reporters outside the hospital. “I think it speaks volumes about the dedication of the Toronto police officers who serve our city every single day and go into harm’s way to do everything they can to keep our city safe.”
But it’s not safe out there.
“This city really needs to start paying attention to what’s going on here,” Toronto Police Association President Jon Reid. “Every day we’re having shootings, murders. It’s becoming all too common. And now to see this increase now where officers are being shot.”
It’s unacceptable.
“We need it to stop,” said Reid.
It won’t stop if everybody who is arrested in a serious criminal matter is released on bail.
Words will not fix this. Actions will. Tougher bail. Longer jail terms.
On CP24 Mayor Olivia Chow said her “heart goes out to this officer that’s been shot” and “I hope for a speedy recovery” while adding “every police officer puts their lives at risk every moment and every day they work. And they absolutely deserve to go home safe and sound.”
They certainly do.
While officers said they appreciated her comments, one also noted “she will still not pay us” — alluding to the fact that no contract has been agreed to between the TPA and the city.
Still, Chow also said on CP24 “we as a society cannot see it as normal. We cannot be numb to it. We have to say this is not acceptable. We have to work hard to stop that gun violence.”
They have a lot of work to do.
In a bloody week of shootings, it’s not lost on the public that Toronto Police statistics show there have been 340 shootings in 2024 – 35 of which have resulted in people being murdered.
The latest victim came very close to being a Toronto cop.