A dramatic 24-hour police standoff in Welland, Ontario, has ended with the arrest of a 59-year-old man suspected of shooting a police officer in the chest. The incident, which began on Friday, December 19, 2025, locked down a residential neighbourhood and required a massive emergency response.
Standoff Ends with Morning Arrest
Niagara Regional Police confirmed the suspect, identified as Daniel Tronko, 59, was taken into custody without further incident around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20. The arrest concluded an intense barricade situation that started nearly a full day earlier. Following the arrest, police lifted a shelter-in-place order and reopened roads in the area of Plymouth Road and Second Street.
Routine Call Turns Violent
The confrontation began at approximately 8 a.m. on Friday. Police were assisting municipal bylaw officers with what was described as a "fencing issue" at a property that was formerly a church, according to Constable Richard Hingley. The situation escalated rapidly when officers were met with gunfire.
During the exchange, a female Niagara Regional Police officer was struck in the chest. Authorities credit her protective body armour with preventing life-threatening injuries. The wounded officer was transported to a local hospital, treated, and later released with what were described as minor injuries.
Negotiations and Lockdown
After the shooting, the suspect barricaded himself inside a home, prompting an immediate lockdown of the surrounding area. Police negotiators worked through the night and into the early morning hours to resolve the situation peacefully.
Remote cameras sent into the residence were allegedly shot and disabled by the suspect, highlighting the ongoing threat. The significant police presence included tactical units and even a drone deployed by Halton Regional Police to assist.
The fallout from the incident extended beyond the immediate crime scene. As a precaution, the nearby Welland Hospital was placed on lockdown. Staff from Plymouth Public School and St. Mary Catholic Elementary School were also evacuated for their safety while the shelter-in-place order was active.
Daniel Tronko now faces a charge of attempted murder. Following his arrest, he was transported to an out-of-region hospital for a medical evaluation. In accordance with provincial protocol, the Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been notified and has invoked its mandate, launching an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the police shooting incident.
