The Toronto police officer who refused to shoot the man responsible for ploughing a van into a crowd of pedestrians is being praised for the peaceful way he handled the situation.
Dramatic video footage of the arrest shows the officer refusing to shoot the suspect —who has been identified as 25-year-old Alek Minassian.
In the intense scene, the officer has his gun drawn as the alleged driver of the van continually tries to force the officer to shoot him, pointing his cell phone at the officer like a gun and then faking as if he’s drawing a gun to shoot the officer. When this does not work the suspect yells, “I have a gun in my pocket.”
The officer remains calm, warning the man to get down or he’ll be shot, to which the suspect responds, “shoot me in the head.”
The suspect is eventually taken down and handcuffed with no shots fired.
WARNING: Some viewers may find the following content disturbing.
Video footage of the standoff has gone viral, and the officer has been commended on social media for remaining calm and not using excessive and deadly force — which has often been the case in several police incidents in the US.
Here is the Canadian police officer arresting the suspect in the Toronto attack in North York today-his restraint is nothing short of amazing…now imagine if they were in America. pic.twitter.com/LzVgmj55AS
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) April 23, 2018
The restraint shown by this police officer is simple incredible, this is what a real police officer looks like. #Toronto pic.twitter.com/E7jBSXvChV
— Ryan Paisey (@RyanPaisey) April 23, 2018
Hat’s off to the arresting #police #officer in #toronto #northyork . What exemplary conduct! Need more of this on the force #Worldwide ! @TorontoPolice
— Ivo G (@EevoG) April 23, 2018
Just watched a video of a Toronto police officer take down the van driver who plowed down pedestrians without firing a shot. Here in the US they would have riddled him with bullets first, then claim they thought the cell phone was a gun. Our cops could learn from it.
— SonnyB (@sonnyb9) April 23, 2018
The restraint the Toronto Police Officer showed while the Van driver aggressively mimed quick-drawing a “gun” was breathtaking. #TorontoAttack
— Patrick Gilmore (@PatrickGilmore) April 23, 2018
I’m in awe of the Canadian police officer who arrested the Toronto driver without shooting him. So brave.
— Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) April 24, 2018
This Police Officer did an outstanding job, nonviolently arresting the driver who killed 10 in Toronto 👏👏
Driver: ‘I’ve got a gun in my pocket’
Officer: ‘I don’t care. Get down.’ https://t.co/a1jUgUlUOn
— RynheartTheReluctant (@TheRynheart) April 24, 2018
Police officer apprehends man who killed and injured dozens in #Toronto without firing a shot even when the suspect repeatedly pretended to reach for a gun. Note to US police next time a young black man is carrying a cell phone.
— Bobby Panahi (@BobbyPanahi) April 23, 2018
Unbelievable restraint shown by Toronto police officer when van driver “quick drew” his cell phone repeatedly & pointed it at constable. Had this been another country this alleged murderer would have been shot dead! Well done Toronto cops. 🇨🇦#confidence #courage #bravery
— Lance Curtis (@lbcurtis) April 24, 2018
Monday’s van attack in Toronto’s Yonge Street and Finch Avenue area left 10 people dead and 15 injured.
Police are now asking all witnesses who may have information regarding Monday’s attack to call their investigative hotline at 416-808-8750.
A web portal has also been created for witnesses to submit photos and videos, which can be found here.
With files from Ainsley Smith.
See also
- Memorial growing in Yonge and Finch area for victims of Toronto van attack
- GoFundMe campaigns launch to raise funds for victims of Toronto van attack
- Toronto van attack suspect Alek Minassian to appear in court Tuesday morning
- Video captures intense standoff between police and alleged van attack suspect