A Toronto police officer is grappling with emotional trauma after being pinned by a stolen vehicle and forced to open fire on a 12-year-old driver early Monday morning. Const. Arlind Cakiqi, a two-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service, was responding to a stolen vehicle call when the incident unfolded on the Leaside bridge.
According to police sources, Cakiqi was struck by the stolen car and pinned against a concrete barrier. In excruciating pain and fearing for his life, he discharged his firearm. The driver, later revealed to be just 12 years old, was hit and taken to hospital. The officer's primary concern immediately after the shooting was the child's condition.
“He was already asking how the driver was doing. But as soon as he heard it was a 12-year-old boy, the only thing on his mind was how the kid was doing? He was shaken up when he heard the age of the child,” a police source said.
Officer Injured, Both Hospitalized
Cakiqi was treated for an injured arm, back, cuts, and bruises. He was released from hospital but advised to seek further assessment. A police source noted he may have a broken toe, possibly run over by a tire. The 12-year-old suspect, charged with attempted murder, is also reported to be medically stable. It remains unclear whether the child was struck by a bullet or shattered glass from the windshield.
Toronto Police Association President Clayton Campbell emphasized the gravity of the situation. “The officer is very lucky to have minor injuries,” he said. “We’re lucky we don’t have another officer killed. He was struck by a car and it came to a point where he needed to use a firearm to protect himself.”
Rising Danger for Police
The incident has sparked renewed concern about the safety of officers and the increasing involvement of young people in violent crime. “We have 18-year-olds, barely adults, involved in the slaying of Const. Marc Pinizzotto and now another serious incident. The fact that we could have lost another member due to the actions of a 12-year-old is beyond frustrating,” Campbell said.
He called for an end to the “blatant disrespect” for police officers, which he says is leading to injuries and deaths. “These incidents should concern everyone.”
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been called in to probe the shooting. Meanwhile, the policing community is preparing for funerals for two other officers killed in the line of duty last week: OPP Const. Tarun Bali and Toronto Const. Marc Pinizzotto. Many are questioning how many more police funerals the community can endure.
“It was close,” Campbell added. “Once again, while most people were sleeping, another police officer was injured protecting this city. Thankfully, this time, the officer was able to go home.”
