OPP officer shot dead was 'ambushed': OPP commissioner

[Michael Jack]

Young Ontario Provincial Police officer was fatally shot while responding to a call about ditched vehicle

HAGERSVILLE, Ont. — An Ontario Provincial Police officer who was fatally shot while responding to a call was "essentially ambushed," the commissioner of the force said Wednesday night.

Police have said 28-year-old Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala responded to a call for a vehicle in a ditch just west of Hagersville, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon and was shot dead when he got there.

Speaking at an evening news conference, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said Pierzchala was at the scene for a very short period of time and did not discharge his firearm.

"The officer was essentially ambushed and stood absolutely no chance of being able to defend himself," Carrique said.

The investigation into the shooting, including the motive and circumstances behind it, is ongoing. Pierzchala was equipped with a body-worn camera at the time, Carrique said, and in addition to viewing that footage investigators will be canvassing the area Thursday to look for witnesses.

Police have said the suspects ditched the vehicle they were in and fled on foot. They allegedly robbed a citizen of their vehicle at the scene after the officer was shot, Carrique said, though it's unclear whether the vehicle was taken at gunpoint.

Twenty-five-year-old Randall McKenzie and 30-year-old Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry are each facing a charge of first-degree murder in Pierzchala's death.

The relationship between Stewart-Sperry and McKenzie has not been publicly confirmed, and Carrique said when asked about it during the news conference that he did not know that information.

Court documents show McKenzie had a history with the justice system.

A 2021 document from the Parole Board of Canada says McKenzie is from the Onondaga First Nations of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. He was serving an almost three-year sentence for robbery, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon and other charges when his release was revoked that year because he was not complying with his terms.

McKenzie has been prohibited for life for possessing firearms since 2018 and was charged in 2021 with several firearms offences and assaulting a peace officer, Carrique said.

He failed to attend a court appearance in September, at which point additional charges were laid against him and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Carrique said he was "outraged" that McKenzie was out on bail at the time of the shooting.

"This should have never happened. Something needs to change," he said. "Our police officers, your police officers, my police officers, the public, deserve to be safeguarded against violent offenders who are charged with firearms related offences."

In the robbery, which happened in 2017, the court document describes how McKenzie pointed a handgun at a restaurant owner, ordering him to hand over his car keys and money.

"You pled guilty, and described that you needed money for drugs," the document says.

The document says McKenzie has experienced the negative impacts of colonialism.

"Your biological parents struggled with alcohol and were neglectful," it reads.

"You believe your adopted grandfather may have attended residential school ... You have suffered abuse, experienced addiction and have been disconnected from your family and cultural community. These losses and negative experiences are likely linked to your offending."

In a written statement to The Canadian Press, McKenzie's family expressed their condolences to Pierzchala's family.

"We wish them healing and peace," the statement said.

They said McKenzie had some challenges growing up, got into the wrong crowd in high school and began abusing drugs at a young age.

"Everyone is having a difficult time processing this and is extremely hurt," the statement said.

"Intergenerational trauma is a real thing."

The OPP has said Pierzchala had been with force for just over a year and he had been notified that he had passed his 10-month probation period hours before his death. They added he was previously a special constable at Queen's Park who, as a boy, dreamt of joining the police ranks.

"Despite his short time with us, he had been patrolling independently since April of this year," Carrique said.

Details on the funeral plans for Pierzchala are expected to be announced in the coming days.

On Wednesday, Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley called Pierzchala's killing heartbreaking and disturbing.

"These things just don't happen in Haldimand County," said Bentley on Wednesday afternoon as she and other community members visited the site of shooting near the Niagara Peninsula.

Some shocked community members laid flowers at a makeshift memorial and police tape surrounded the scene.

Harold Sheldrick, who lives close to where the officer was shot, said Wednesday he was surprised to hear about the fatal shooting in the "peaceful area."

“Sure, there is crime just like anywhere but, I mean, out here it is the first time I have heard someone getting shot and killed," said Sheldrick, who has lived in the area for about a year.

“A lot of these families know each other, so I am kind of surprised something would escalate this far out here.”

Local member of provincial parliament, Bobbi Ann Brady, also visited the scene Wednesday and said that all of Ontario mourns the loss of the officer.

“It is tragic, and it doesn’t make sense, and my heart, my prayers, my thoughts go out to the officer’s family,” she said while wiping her tears.

“As a mom, this really hits home, he is a young man and that is someone’s son, somebody’s brother, and it is a life lost,” she said.

“It doesn’t make sense and there is no reason for these types of things to happen, and it hits hard in a small community like this because we are not accustomed to these types of stories.”

McKenzie's family said they have been bombarded with hateful messages since the shooting.

They are being called "savages and trash and disgusting and that we should rot," the statement said.

"We are not horrible people.”

-- With files from Fakiha Baig and Jordan Omstead

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2022.

Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press

https://www.sudbury.com/beyond-local/op ... er-6307595

https://globalnews.ca/news/9375256/opp- ... gersville/

[Michael Jack]

The sister of fallen Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer Grzegorz 'Greg' Pierzchala is remembering her big brother as someone who "died as a hero and lived as an inspiration.”

Speaking alongside her older brother, Michal, during the rookie officer's Jan. 4 funeral service, Justyna Pierzchala said they both saw Greg as a role model.

She said he was someone who took his job as an older sibling very seriously and who always made sure she was in a good place mentally and physically.

Instead of focusing on Pierzchala's many achievements, Justyna chose to share a few thoughts on the person he was and the impact he had on his family.

She said Greg showed her that having a small circle of good, supportive friends was a good thing, and that having the right priorities in life, notably family, was the best way to live.

Justyna spoke about Greg's many hobbies and interests, and how she appreciated the long conversations they had about school and life.

Const. Pierzchala, a member of the OPP's Haldimand County detachment, was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 27 just outside of Hagersville, a town roughly 45 kilometres south of Hamilton.

Earlier that day, Pierzchala, who grew up in Barrie, learned he’d successfully completed his 10-month probationary period. While working his first solo shift, he stopped to check out a vehicle in the ditch and was fatally shot.

A 25-year-old man and 30-year-old woman have each been charged with one count of first-degree murder.

During his funeral service, Pierzchala's younger brother, Michal, spoke about how at around the age of 13 a teacher pulled Greg aside and told him to not waste his potential, which he said his brother took to heart and led to him reevaluating his character and his life.

"For whatever reason, Greg took this extremely seriously, and he later told me that this is where he consciously decided to become the respectable and honest person that he'll be remembered as," Michal said.

"It wasn't an easy thing for him to do, but it was worth doing as he had a positive impact on so many people's lives because of it."

Michal said his brother was "humble, generous, funny, and confident," adding the things that made him stand out the most from others were the high standards he held for himself, the obsession he had with excellence, and his strong desire to do things right.

"It wasn't an easy thing to make him proud. He could be be judgmental," shared Michal, who called his brother the "most couragerous person" he knew.

"But, when you did do something right, he would let you know. It would mean the world because when it came from him, you knew that you must have really hit the mark to do something that Greg appreciated."

Michal said he'll never forget the day-to-day interactions he had with Greg, the time he spent with his family, and the efforts he made for all of those he truly cared about.

A number of dignitaries and police officials also spoke during today's funeral service.

Calling Pierzchal's death, a "tragedy, an injustice, and an incomprehensible loss," Ontario's Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell said everyone is here today to support Pierzchala's loving family and his fellow officers.

"Thousands of people across this province and country have chosen to be here today. Thousands who did not know him, but who nevertheless grieve. They grieve deeply," she said.

"Thousands who stand here today because they love what Greg stood for, upheld, and ultimately died to rotect. We love the dream a little boy once held of becoming a police officer and serving his community. We love the aspirations of a young man who approached life with determination and passion to realize that dream. And, we love the principles of duty and service that Greg embody and the peace that he strove to keep."

Premier Doug Ford, in his remarks, said a life of policing is a "family's calling," a sacrifice Pierzchala and countless others choose to make as they put their "life on the line to protect the people of Ontario."

"Greg's life was one of duty, one of service to others. He had limitless potential, his whole life ahead of him. Losing Greg in this way, on the same day he learned he passed his probationary period, on the same day, he would become the officer he always dreamed of bein, it's cruel beyond words," said Ford, who did not know Pierzchala personally, but said from the stories and fond memories he's heard was a "remarkable man in both his work and life," somene who "made a lasting impression on everyone."

"And this brave young man died just two days after Christmas. It's yet another difficult reminder that the job of a police officer is one of total commitment."

OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said it's been an emotional week, one that went from learning one of his officers has been shot in the line of duty and "praying passionately" that he'd be okay to "disbelief and absolute heartbreak" when he found out Pierzchala died.

Carrique said he then experienced the fear that came with sharing this devatating news with the young officer's family and the strong desire to by Greg's side and that of his platoon. There was then relief, he said, when two people allegedly responsible for his murder were "safely taken into custody" and "anger and outrage over the senseless and preventable circumstances surrounding Greg's death."

Whie still heartbroken, Carrique said he's humbled to have shared the same uniform as Pierzchala, proud to lead the OPP, grateful to those who came to Pierzchala's aid and stayed by his side, and for the outpouring of support and compassion from the extended policing family and the public, and indebted to Greg's family and all who will carry on his legacy.

The Commisioner met Pierzchal last spring while he was out on patrol and they'd taken a selfie together.

"Little did I know that only eight months later, at Christmas nonetheless, our paths would cross again. However, this time, this time sadly, it would be his final tour of duty," he shared, calling Pierzchala an officer who possessed a committment to "service above self."

"I have heard many inspiring stories regarding how Greg was highly respected as a police officer, an accomplished athlete, and simply an extraordinary individual who by his actions inspired others to do and be better. ... We truly lost an officer who had great potential potential that he demonstrated time and time again."

Witold Dzielski, the Polish Ambassador to Canada, offered a few words of condolence on behalf of Poland's President Andrzej Duda during the service.

He also took moment to speak about the pride Pierzchala had for his culture and his membership in the Polish Canadian Highlander community.

And whilw Dzielski hadn't met Pierzchala in person, he said he's heard from his family and friends and stories shared in the media that the young officer was a "spectacular person, one that aimed high and achieved his goals."

"Today, we mourn. We stand together with the Pierzchla family and their friends," Dzielski said.

"At the same time, we cherish the memory of Grzegorz Pierzchala's life. His qualities provide and will continue to provide an example all of us. He died while serving others. He died as a hero. Glory to the heroes."

Earlier Wednesday morning, thousands of police officers along with members of the public stood shoulder to shoulder as a cortege for Pierzchala travelled from Adams Funeral Home to a local arena for his funeral service. It was a sombre, moving time as heavy rain fell and mourners observed a few moments of quiet reverence for the late police officer, whose flag-draped casket was then slowly carried into Barrie’s Sadlon Arena by 10 pallbearers.

Pierzchala’s family and friends along with members of the OPP, the Canadian Armed Forces, and other police and emergency services and officials attended his private funeral service, which was livestreamed on the OPP’s social media platforms, including YouTube.

People in Haldimand County also gathered for an in-person broadcast at the Caledonia Lions Community Centre.

The visitation and internment for Pierzchala were also not open to the public.

Pierzchala is one of five Ontario police officers killed in the line of duty in 2022.

The other four include constables Andrew Hong, Travis Gillespie, Devon Northrup, and Morgan Russell.

Hong, of the Toronto Police Service, was fatally shot in at a Mississauga Tim Horton’s during a multi-city rampage on Sept. 12. Milton auto shop owners Shakeel Ashraf and international exchange student Satwinder Singh were also killed in the shooting spree.

Gillespie, a member of York Regional Police, died after being struck by an alleged impaired driver on Sept. 14 while on the way to work in Markham.

South Simcoe police constables Northrup and Russell were fatally shot on Oct. 11 during a disturbance call at a home in Innisfil. A joint funeral service for Northrup and Russel was also held at Barrie's Sadlon Arena on Oct. 20.

https://www.cp24.com/news/2023/01/03/sl ... on-sister/

[Michael Jack]

Nearly a month after the start of the trial into the killing of an Ontario Provincial Police constable, the Crown began its closing arguments, arguing Tuesday that Randall McKenzie shot and killed Greg Pierzchala and Brandi Stewart-Sperry helped him do it.

McKenzie and Stewart-Sperry have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the December 2022 shooting death of Pierzchala, 28. Their Superior Court trial in Cayuga began in late March and heard from witnesses including experts in forensics, people on the scene before and during the alleged crime, and those who saw the co-accused after the shooting.

"They supported each other" during the alleged crime, Crown lawyer Fraser McCracken said, calling it a "joint effort."

McCracken presented a narrative in which, after a string of thefts, including of a Nissan Armada in Hamilton, the co-accused found themselves stuck in a ditch in a stolen SUV near Hagersville. When a young police officer arrived on the scene, they could either surrender or "eliminate the threat," he said.

Officer heard screaming in bodycam footage

Stewart-Sperry has admitted to being at the scene of the shooting and being the woman shown in video captured by Pierzchala's bodycam. McKenzie has not admitted to being the shooter who was seen in the video firing six shots at Pierzchala. The officer is also heard screaming in the footage.

McCracken spent a significant portion of his 90-minute closing argument making the case McKenzie is that shooter. He referred to image analysis comparing their faces, similarities between clothing worn by the shooter and McKenzie when he was arrested hours later, witness testimony and DNA evidence linking McKenzie to the stolen vehicle and handgun he said the shooter used.

McKenzie's lawyer, Douglas Holt, used his closing argument to poke holes in that narrative and argue the jury should have reasonable doubt that McKenzie shot Pierzchala.

He pointed to several parts of the Crown's case and argued they weren't as solid as presented. For instance, he said, the shooter left a pair of pants with McKenzie's DNA on them in the stolen car.

Defence raises questions about shooter's identity

"If Randall McKenzie was the shooter, why wouldn't he take his pants with him?" Holt asked the jury.

He also argued witnesses said the shooter wore a black jacket, but not a black jacket with a red lining like McKenzie had on when he was arrested. He said they incorrectly described his client's face tattoos — markings he said are not visible in the bodycam footage.

Meanwhile, McCracken said, the bodycam video was compressed and some fine details were likely lost. He also said the shooter's hood and hat could have obscured the tattoos.

As for the evidence that McKenzie's DNA was on the gun that shot Pierzchala, Holt argued there is "no evidence he was in exclusive access and control of that firearm" and someone else could have used it.

"There's an inference — a reasonable inference — that Randall and the shooter are not one and the same," he said.

The jury has heard McKenzie texted people about "shooting out with the cops," but Holt said it's hard to understand the intent of those statements, since tone doesn't translate over text.

Stewart-Sperry's lawyer to speak Wednesday

On Wednesday, Stewart-Sperry's lawyer, Scott Reid, is expected to present closing arguments.

McCracken argued she was a willing participant in the shooting, she helped McKenzie in the act by making it hard for Pierzchala to see him and she tried to cover up the crime, including by attempting to hide the getaway vehicle.

"Their shared plan, the teamwork, and now, the accountability," McCracken said.

arly in the trial, Stewart-Sperry's lawyer asked witnesses whether she seemed intoxicated prior to the shooting. Many agreed she did.

McCracken said her actions after the shooting show she knew what she was doing.

"It's logical, goal-oriented behaviour," he said.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton ... -1.7515859

[Michael Jack]

Flags in the City of Barrie will fly at half mast in honour of an OPP officer killed in the line of duty who not only called Barrie his home, but left a lasting legacy in the community.

Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon when responding to a vehicle in the ditch at the intersection of Indian Line and Concession 14, west of Hagersville.

The 28-year-old officer was a member of the Haldimand County Detachment who, hours before his death, had found out he had passed his 10-month probationary period.

An OPP statement said that when he arrived at the scene of the ditched vehicle, he was shot.

The OPP have said a 25-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were arrested, and no other suspects are at large.

The OPP's media relations manager, Bill Dickson, told BarrieToday that as of right now, the OPP are “working with the family to determine if they want to release a statement.”

Dickson also confirmed that the officer was once a Special Constable at Queen’s Park.

Those who watched Pierzchala grow up in the community painted the picture of a young man who had a polite and respectful demeanour.

Pierzchala graduated from Barrie’s St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School (JOA) in 2012. One of his former wrestling coaches at the school told BarrieToday what he meant to her.

Anne-Marie Goorts said that Pierzchala was “the man you hoped your child would become.”

“Always thoughtful, considerate, kind, led with his heart and always tried to do the right thing,” said Goorts. “Even 10 years after graduating, he would still call me coach if he saw me around town or at the gym training.”

Moorts said Pierzchala would often come back to training sessions and help younger wrestlers get better.

“All of the younger wrestlers looked up to him and he spent time working with every one of them; his level of patience knew no bounds,” said Moorts. “I became a better coach by having him on my team.”

Nicholas Cryer, head coach of the Kempenfelt Bay Athletic Club (K-Bay), told BarrieToday he had Pierzchala on his teams for about three or four years but also coached him on the high school team as Bear Creek (where Cryer teaches) and JOA would collaborate.

“He had so much respect, always ‘yes sir, yes ma’am,’ and he had such a quiet demeanour yet was a very hard working young man,” said Cryer.

Cryer said Pierzchala had three other siblings. One brother has played professional soccer for multiple European teams, another was a star player with the University of Toronto and a younger sister still attends JOA.

After flags at City Hall were lowered to half-mast, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said the “city mourns with the family of Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala and honours our fallen hero.”

“We, as a community, will be here for his family and have lowered all flags to half mast to honour his service and mourn his loss. Officer Grzegorz, we thank you for your service to Canada, Ontario and policing. We will not forget your sacrifice for the safety of the community,” said Nuttall.

There is no information yet on funeral arrangements for Pierzchala and BarrieToday will have more information as it becomes available.

https://www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-new ... ie-6302925

[Michael Jack]

Randall McKenzie and Brandi Stewart-Sperry have been found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2022 shooting death of Ontario Provincial Police Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala, and were immediately sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

The jury in Cayuga, Ont., handed down the verdict late Thursday after deliberating for about six hours following a four-week trial.

Pierzchala was shot on Dec. 27, 2022, while responding to a vehicle in a ditch west of Hagersville, Ont., near Brantford.

McKenzie, 28, and Stewart-Sperry, 32, had both pleaded not guilty. The Crown had argued that McKenzie was the shooter and that Stewart-Sperry intentionally helped him.

Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman said McKenzie’s actions were “shocking” and he expressed sympathy for Pierzchala’s family.

“I’ve told the jury that they must be objective, but frankly, Mr. McKenzie, your actions here were callous, cold-blooded, and an assassination of a young officer in the prime of his life, just starting out in his career,” Goodman said. “There is no excuse whatsoever for your actions in this regard.”

Goodman said he hopes the verdict will provide “some measure of closure” for the Pierzchala family.

“I honestly am so sorry,” McKenzie told the court when asked if he wished to say something. “What happened … that should never happen to nobody.”

Stewart-Sperry did not address the court.

A statement from OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique and the Pierzchala family called the trial “an incredibly challenging period” for the force and Pierzchala’s loved ones.

“This verdict is an important step as we focus on moving forward with continuing the important work Greg started and contributing to the everlasting impact he had on so many people, personally and professionally,” the statement read.

Video footage of the shooting captured on Pierzchala’s body camera was a key piece of evidence in the trial.

The trial heard from multiple witnesses, including some who had stopped at the side of the road after spotting the car in the ditch, law enforcement officials involved in the investigation and relatives of McKenzie who testified they had seen the accused pair the afternoon of the murder.

It also heard testimony from gun experts and forensic scientists, including one expert who told the court that gunshot particles were found inside the front pocket of a hoodie collected from McKenzie.

Neither McKenzie nor Stewart-Sperry elected to take the stand during the trial, and their lawyers did not call any evidence.

The trial heard that the vehicle in the ditch Pierzchala responded to had been stolen from a restaurant parking lot in Hamilton the previous day, and that several stolen items, including vehicle permit papers and a car key fob belonging to other people, were found in Stewart-Sperry’s backpack at the time of her arrest.

The Crown argued that the pair intentionally killed the officer and fled from the scene because they had “dwindling options” to avoid arrest.

Prosecutor Fraser McCracken argued that the officer’s body camera footage shows Stewart-Sperry stepping forward between Pierzchala and McKenzie so the latter could ready the gun.

But in his closing arguments to the jury, Stewart-Sperry’s lawyer Scott Reid said the prosecution’s case against his client was relying on speculation and there was no evidence she knew McKenzie had a gun or that he would shoot the officer.

McKenzie’s lawyer had also tried to cast doubt on the Crown’s arguments in the case, arguing in his closing remarks that some witnesses’ descriptions of the shooter did not match his client’s appearance at the time of the incident.

The trial heard that the Glock 19 handgun used to shoot Pierzchala had several DNA profiles on it — including McKenzie’s — and that it had been trafficked into Canada from the United States.

Pierzchala’s death sparked calls from police leaders and politicians to restrict access to bail for violent, repeat offenders.

At the time of McKenzie’s arrest, court documents showed he was denied bail on unrelated assault and weapons charges months before the shooting, but was released after a review. A warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to show up for a court date, months before Pierzchala’s killing.

Premiers from all 13 provinces and territories sent a letter to then-prime minister Justin Trudeau calling for reforms to the country’s bail system. The letter was initiated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford following Pierzchala’s death.

The jury did not hear those details at the murder trial.

In December 2023, a federal law passed requiring repeat offenders accused of violent crimes involving weapons to prove they are not a safety or flight risk, a reversal from the onus on the prosecution to prove that in the bail process.

https://globalnews.ca/news/11148789/opp ... ty-murder/