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)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
No more expensing home internet bills to taxpayers, Tory and Liberal MPs told
The federal Liberal government is joining the Opposition Conservatives in no longer allowing its members of Parliament to expense taxpayers for home internet services.

Canadians fighting in Ukraine, despite no monitoring from government, speak out on war and loss
On Feb. 27, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country needed fighters, and foreigners were welcome to join the front line in the defence against Russian aggression. Some Canadians were among the first to answer the call.
Canada sending 4 battle tanks to Ukraine, maybe more later: Anand
Canada is sending four combat-ready battle tanks to Ukraine and will be deploying 'a number' of Canadian Armed Forces members to train Ukrainian soldiers on how to operate them.
True crime sells, but fans are debating the ethics of their passion
For some people, relaxation looks like settling down with a nice glass of wine and the most graphic, disturbing tale of murder imaginable.
Tips to protect your personal information online
Retailers and tech companies use many tools to mine consumers for data they can share with third parties, but there are steps consumers can take to protect and safeguard their personal information.
No reason for alarm in Canada after cough syrup deaths in other countries: health agency
Following the deaths of more than 300 children from contaminated cough syrups in several countries, Health Canada says it's been more than a decade since similar cases were identified here.
Rent prices grew at record pace in 2022 as Canada saw lowest vacancy rate in decades
Rent prices in Canada grew at a record pace last year as the country saw the lowest vacancy rate since 2001, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said.
Poor communication and training linked to fatal B.C. ammonia leak
The independent body that oversees the safety of technical systems and equipment in British Columbia has found a deadly ammonia leak near Kamloops last May was a tragedy that took years to unfold.
Ottawa police, bylaw increasing downtown presence on anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' protest
Ottawa police and Bylaw Services are telling residents and visitors they will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to parking, noise and fireworks violations downtown this weekend, on the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy' demonstration.