It is now official that the man accused of shooting to death Toronto Police Const. Marc Pinizzotto has been charged with first degree murder.
Nicholas Bennett, 19, appeared virtually from his hospital bed in a Toronto courtroom Friday for his first appearance on that charge.
"He was scheduled to appear remotely at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on June 19, 2026, in room 107," said Toronto Police.
A justice source said, with the medical condition realities of the accused, the options they were looking at were whether they could make the court appearance happen virtually or have a Justice of the Peace attend the hospital. But in the end, not only did Bennett appear in court remotely from his bed, police sources said he also gave a thumbs up when asked if he could hear and understand the proceedings.
Pinizzotto doesn't have that luxury. As a result of being shot by police, with at least a reported six bullets after allegedly slaying Pinizzotto, Bennett has been recovering in hospital. His first court appearance had been delayed since the June 11 slaying of the Emergency Task Force officer who was part of a team exercising a warrant to seize guns allegedly used in the March 10 shooting of the U.S. consulate as well as previous gunshots fired into Jewish schools and synagogues.
No longer unconscious, Bennett now faces the justice system for Toronto's 13th homicide of 2026, of which he has been accused of committing.
Meanwhile, the media has also had difficulty acquiring a picture of the accused. His photograph is the only one missing of the four charged connected to the alleged shooting-for-hire scheme that police say saw people procured to shoot planned targets through encrypted phone apps. It was this case that led police to 15 Martha Eaton Way where the murder occurred during the execution of a search warrant.
"It is alleged that on Thursday, June 11, at approximately 5:20 a.m., TPS Constable Marc Pinizzotto was shot and killed while executing a high-risk search warrant in the area of Black Creek Drive and Trethewey Drive," police said in a news release announcing the murder charge.
While not accused in Pinizzotto's murder, also charged in the guns-for-hire case are 19-year-old Zara Jabbi, 18-year-old Sheldon Tracey-Stewart, and Jayon Burgher, 18. None of the charges against all four have been tested in court.
Two Funerals in Back-to-Back Weeks
Following the tearful goodbye for Ontario Provincial Police Const. Tarun Bali on Thursday, Toronto Police are bracing themselves for next Wednesday's full police funeral of Pinizzotto at the Toronto Congress Centre on Dixon Rd. More than 10,000 officers from across the country are expected to attend. It's not going to be easy for his brothers and sisters on the job and his immediate family.
Cop's Mom Thanks Mississauga for Park Naming
But Pinizzotto will be getting a lot of love and respect. Already this week, Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish spoke about honouring the 43-year-old husband and father of twins. On Friday, she released a photo of the sign that has been quickly installed at a park on Indian Rd. This will mean the cop they called Pinner will be remembered forever – not because of how he died but because of how he lived and what he brought to his community through sports and law enforcement.
"On behalf of myself and our family, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to City of Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish, Deputy Mayor/Councillor Ward 8 Matt Mahoney and all Mississauga Council City of Mississauga," said the fallen officer's mother Linda Pinizzotto. This has been a hard time for her but she says she will be fighting for police officer and community safety as part of her tribute to her son.
"My son Marc as a valued member of the Toronto Police Service Emergency Task Force was with his team conducting a high-risk assignment when he was fatally shot," she said. "He is an incredible father, son, brother, husband, coach and friend of many." Linda added, "Your Motion as resolved on the renaming of Indian Gate Park to the Official name of CONSTABLE MARC PINIZZOTTO PARK will be so incredibly beautiful with a commemorative plaque that tells his story and park benches that creates a site for rest and contemplation." No matter what happens in any courtroom.
