Brampton man with history of firearms offences charged after allegedly shooting at Peel police officer

A 24-year-old Brampton man who was under a lifetime ban from having a gun has been charged after allegedly shooting at a Peel Regional Police officer in Mississauga.

Investigators say members of the Strategic and Tactical Enforcement Policing (STEP) team were conducting proactive patrols in the area of Torbram Road around 4:30 a.m. when they saw a suspicious man fleeing a nearby establishment while wearing a mask around his chin and jumping multiple fences.

A short while later, a police officer located the man walking southbound on Torbram Road, and as he attempted to speak with him, the man fled on foot.

“During the pursuit, the suspect turned and discharged a firearm multiple times toward the officer, but missed,” police said in a release issued late Sunday.

Additional officers responded to the scene, and the man was arrested. He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and after being treated, was released back into police custody.

How the man sustained the injuries was not immediately known, but the province’s Special Investigations Unit says it has not been called in to investigate.

Police say two officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Isaiah Bachoo has been charged with discharging a firearm with intent and possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm.

Investigators say they will be speaking with the Crown about pursuing “additional and more serious charges,” but did not specify what they might be.

Police say at the time of the arrest, Bachoo had multiple court-ordered firearms prohibitions, including a lifetime prohibition from possessing guns and ammunition, as well as a 10-year prohibition from possessing any firearm.

“This is another stark reminder of the dangers our officers face every day while on the front lines working to keep our communities safe,” Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said in a statement.

“This is another example of the cycle of violent crime that continues to impact our communities and must be stopped. We continue to advocate for stronger bail and sentencing to better manage repeat violent offenders like this and reduce the risk they pose to our communities.”

The incident comes after the recent deaths of two Ontario police officers in separate incidents this month.

Toronto police Const. Marc Pinizzotto, 43, was shot and killed on June 11 while officers executed a search warrant at a North York apartment building. Investigators said the warrant was connected to a series of shootings, including a March attack on the U.S. Consulate in Toronto.

A 19-year-old suspect has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting.

Days earlier, on June 9, Ontario Provincial Police Const. Tarun Bali, 29, was killed in the Hearst area after being struck by a vehicle while officers conducted an investigation.

An 18-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, dangerous driving and flight from police.