A chaotic scene unfolded outside Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport on April 24, 2025, when a 30-year-old man was fatally shot by Peel Regional Police following what authorities described as a heated dispute. The incident, which sparked a swift investigation by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), sent ripples through Canada’s busiest airport, snarling traffic and leaving travelers rattled.
The trouble started early that morning in the Departures area, where police were called to check on a man reportedly in distress inside an SUV. What began as a routine welfare check took a deadly turn. According to official statements, the man produced a firearm, prompting three officers to open fire. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after. No officers were injured, and authorities were quick to assure the public there was no ongoing threat.
By mid-morning, the airport was buzzing with police activity. Ontario Provincial Police shut down the roadway leading to Terminal 1’s Departures level, forcing drivers to reroute through Arrivals. Travelers pulling up to the terminal were met with a grim sight: police cruisers lined up, lights flashing, and officers cordoning off the area. One witness, a passenger arriving on the UP Express train, described the scene as eerie, with traffic at a standstill and a heavy police presence outside the glass doors of Terminal 1. Inside, though, the terminal hummed along, with only whispers of the incident rippling through the crowds.
Another traveler, who’d just stepped out of a car at the Departures curb, recounted hearing a rapid burst of what sounded like eight to twelve gunshots. At first, he wasn’t sure if it was gunfire or just the clatter of construction or equipment—a common sound at an airport. But the sudden swarm of police made it clear something serious had gone down.
The SIU, tasked with probing any police-involved incident resulting in death or serious injury, launched a full investigation. Their early findings confirmed the man was armed, but details about what sparked the dispute or led to the confrontation remain sparse. Peel Regional Police have stayed tight-lipped, deferring to the SIU’s process.
The airport, meanwhile, worked to keep operations running smoothly. A statement posted on X by airport officials acknowledged the police investigation and warned of traffic shifts around Terminal 1. By late afternoon, the roadway closure was still in effect, and police were urging people to steer clear of the area if possible.
This isn’t the first time Pearson has seen violence, but a fatal shooting in broad daylight at the Departures level is a rare jolt for an airport that handles millions of passengers a year. For now, the SIU’s investigation is ongoing, with forensic teams combing the scene and officers’ actions under scrutiny. The man’s identity has not been released, pending notification of his family.
The incident occurred on April 24, 2025. The SIU is investigating the actions of three Peel Regional Police officers. The man was 30 years old and was shot in the Departures area of Terminal 1. He was pronounced dead in hospital. No officers were injured. The roadway to Terminal 1 Departures remains closed.