Two officers, suspect identified in fatal shooting at Innisfil, Ont. home
Two police officers are dead after a shooting at a home in Innisfil, Ont., south of Barrie.
In a statement released early Wednesday morning, South Simcoe police reported the two officers had responded to a disturbance call at a home on Somers Boulevard, near the 25th Sideroad at approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Authorities said both officers were shot inside the home.
"It is with profound sadness that I announce the death of Const. Devon Northrup and Const. Morgan Russell," South Simcoe Police Acting Chief John Van Dyke said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
"Words cannot describe our grief," Van Dyke said. "This is personal for me. I went to police college with Morgan 33 years ago."
Const. Devon Northrup, left, and Const. Morgan Russell, right, were fatally shot during an incident on Oct. 11 in Innisfil, Ont. (Supplied)
Authorities said one officer was rushed to the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie and died of his injuries.
The second officer was airlifted to a Toronto trauma centre in critical condition. Police confirmed he died early Wednesday morning.
Van Dyke said Const. Russell was a 33-year veteran of the service. The 54-year-old leaves behind a wife and two teenage children.
He said 33-year-old Const. Northrup had been with South Simcoe Police for six years and was a member of the Crisis Outreach and Support Team.
Police from across Ontario gathering for a procession to drive their fallen fellow officer to the coroner's office. Wed., Oct. 12, 2022 (South Simcoe Police/Twitter)
"It's difficult to find words to be able to bring hope in something that was so senseless," said Innisfil Community Church pastor Steve Bradley.
"We recognize the community has questions, as do we," Van Dyke added.
He noted the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) had invoked its mandate. "I am, therefore, very limited in what information we can share," Van Dyke said.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates incidents involving police officers that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, and the discharge of a firearm.
Investigators said the 23-year-old male suspect involved in the case was pronounced dead following an interaction with the police.
While the SIU has yet to identify the deceased suspect, CTV News has learned from neighbours that the man's name is Chris Doncaster. According to those in the area, Doncaster lived with his grandparents, both in their 80s.
Neighbours identify Chris Doncaster, 23, of Innisfil, Ont., as the suspect in a shooting that left two police officers dead on Tues., Oct. 11, 2022 (Source: Instagram)
"We ask for your patience and privacy as we attempt to come to terms with the loss of two beloved members of our family," Van Dyke concluded.
Following the news of the officer's deaths, condolences started pouring in on social media.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister Caroline Mulroney visit South Simcoe Police North Division in Innisfil, Ont. on Wed., Oct. 12, 2022, to offer their condolences after two police officers are killed in the line of duty. (South Simcoe Police/Twitter)
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