A man was fatally shot by police at Toronto Pearson International Airport on the morning of April 24, 2025, leading to significant disruptions at the airport's Terminal 1. The incident unfolded shortly before 7 a.m. when Peel Regional Police officers responded to reports of a "man in distress" in an SUV parked in the departures area.
According to the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which investigates incidents involving police that result in death or serious injury, the 30-year-old man displayed a firearm, prompting three officers to discharge their weapons. The man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the shooting.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. Danilo Simic, who was at the airport dropping off a friend, described hearing ten or more loud bangs, which he initially assumed were something other than gunfire. "Right away I thought, this can't be a car's loud exhaust. This is something different," he told CBC News. As he ducked for cover, he saw a man lying on the ground bleeding, with an officer performing CPR.
Another witness, Jake Seymour, who was in the area at the time, confirmed hearing several shots and noted that first responders arrived quickly to assist. Images from the scene showed a heavy police presence, with multiple Peel Regional Police vehicles stationed outside the terminal.
The SIU confirmed that no police officers were injured during the incident and stated that it was an isolated occurrence, assuring the public that there were no ongoing threats to safety. Peel police reiterated this in a post on social media, emphasizing that the situation was contained.
In light of the shooting, Highway 409 leading to Terminal 1 departures was closed, and passengers were rerouted to enter and exit through Terminal 1 arrivals. The airport authority announced that flights were continuing to operate normally, although travelers were advised to expect delays and longer wait times.
Toronto Pearson's parking garage remained open, and passengers could park at Terminal 3 and use the train service to reach Terminal 1. The 900 Airport Express bus also altered its route to avoid the affected area.
The SIU has assigned six investigators and three forensic investigators to the case to gather evidence and interview witnesses. The agency is expected to scrutinize video footage from the airport's extensive surveillance system, which covers both the interior and exterior of the terminal, as well as the surrounding roadways.
Former Toronto police homicide detective Mark Mendelson commented on the logistical challenges posed by the incident, noting that the timing coincided with a peak travel period at the airport, when over 100,000 passengers typically pass through. He expressed confidence that the availability of security camera footage would aid the investigation.
This tragic event is not the first incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Just a few months prior, in February 2025, the airport was the scene of a significant incident when a Delta Air Lines passenger jet flipped after landing, although no fatalities occurred.
As the investigation continues, the SIU will be tasked with determining the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the actions of both the police and the man who was shot. The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched by the public and officials alike, as it raises questions about police conduct and the protocols in place for handling individuals in distress.
In the meantime, travelers at Toronto Pearson are advised to remain patient as operations gradually return to normal. The airport's management has committed to keeping the public informed about any further developments regarding the incident and the ongoing investigation.
