2 accused in shooting of OPP officer near Brantford charged with 1st-degree murder | 24CA News
Two individuals accused of killing a provincial police officer close to Brantford, Ont., have been formally charged Wednesday with first-degree homicide, a day after the capturing.
Randall McKenzie, 25, and Brandi Stewart-Sperry, 30, who’ve been in custody since their arrest, appeared on the Ontario Court of Justice in Cayuga through video hyperlink and are scheduled for his or her subsequent listening to on Jan. 17.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer who was fatally shot whereas responding to a name Tuesday was “essentially ambushed,” mentioned OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique in a news convention.
Police mentioned 28-year-old Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala responded to a name for a automobile in a ditch simply west of Hagersville, Ont., on Tuesday afternoon and was shot useless when he obtained there.
Carrique mentioned Pierzchala was on the scene for a really quick time period and stood “absolutely no chance of being able to defend himself.”
He says the continuing police investigation into the capturing is inspecting the motive and circumstances behind it.
Carrique alleges the suspects robbed a citizen of their automobile on the scene after the officer was shot.
Pierzchala was killed the identical day he discovered he had handed his 10-month probation interval and was granted the power to patrol independently, based on Carrique.
Pierzchala had been in Armed Forces
Before that, the “exemplary” police officer served within the Canadian Armed Forces.
“This is a man who, at five years old, decided he wanted to be a police officer,” mentioned Carrique. “He had a brief opportunity to live out his dream … unfortunately, he paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
WATCH | Two charged in deadly capturing of OPP officer
A person and a girl have been charged with first-degree homicide within the capturing of OPP Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala.
Carrique mentioned Pierzchala was patrolling independently on the time he was “tragically killed.” The officer was beforehand a particular constable at Queen’s Park and had been with the provincial police drive for simply over a yr, Carrique mentioned.
Previous warrant for McKenzie’s arrest
McKenzie has been prohibited for all times since 2018 from possessing any firearm, mentioned Carrique.
Carrique additionally mentioned McKenzie was charged in 2021 with a number of firearm-related offences and assaulting a peace officer.
McKenzie was later launched on bail on quite a few situations which included “to remain in his residence and not to possess any firearms amongst other restrictive conditions,” added Carrique.
McKenzie failed to seem in courtroom in response to these expenses on Sept. 6, mentioned Carrique. A warrant was then issued for his arrest and extra prison expenses have been laid towards McKenzie, added Carrique.
McKenzie’s household provide condolences
The relationship between Stewart-Sperry and McKenzie has not been publicly confirmed.
In a written assertion to The Canadian Press, McKenzie’s household expressed their condolences to Pierzchala’s household.
“We wish them healing and peace,” the assertion mentioned.
They mentioned McKenzie had some challenges rising up, obtained into the mistaken crowd in highschool and started abusing medicine at a younger age.
“Everyone is having a difficult time processing this and is extremely hurt.”
Ontario neighborhood grieves
WATCH | Ontario neighborhood ‘deeply grieving’ over killing of OPP constable:
Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley says there’s nice sorrow over the capturing loss of life of OPP Const. Greg Pierzchala.
On Wednesday, police automobiles have been parked close to the scene the place the capturing occurred, with the street closed for a couple of kilometre in both route.
Harold Sheldrick, who lives near the scene, mentioned he was stunned to listen to in regards to the deadly capturing within the “peaceful” city of about 3,000 individuals south of Hamilton.
“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,” mentioned Sheldrick, who mentioned he has lived on the town for a couple of yr.
“A lot of these families know each other, so I am kind of surprised something would escalate this far out here.”
