Toronto Pearson Airport Locked Down After Fatal Police-Involved Shooting at Terminal 1

MISSISSAUGA, ON – Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s busiest travel hub, was thrust into chaos Thursday morning following a police-involved shooting outside Terminal 1 that left one man dead and triggered a lockdown of the departures area. The incident, which unfolded around 6:50 a.m., prompted a massive police response, severe flight delays, and road closures, stranding travelers during peak travel hours.

Peel Regional Police reported that officers encountered an armed man described as “in distress” outside Terminal 1’s departures area. According to a source cited by the Toronto Sun, the man approached an officer with a firearm, leaving the officer no choice but to open fire in a “totally justified” response. The man, believed to be in his 30s, was shot and pronounced dead at the scene despite attempts at CPR, as confirmed by the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU). No officers were injured in the incident.

The SIU, tasked with investigating police conduct involving serious injury or death, confirmed the shooting and is leading the investigation. Peel Police emphasized that the incident was isolated, stating, “There are no known threats to public safety.”

The shooting sparked immediate disruption at Terminal 1, with the departures area placed on lockdown and Highway 409 access to the terminal closed. Toronto Pearson Airport authorities rerouted passengers and vehicles to the arrivals area, warning of significant delays. “Due to a Peel Police investigation outside Terminal 1 departures, passengers and vehicles are being rerouted to enter and exit through T1 arrivals,” the airport posted on social media.

Eyewitnesses described a tense scene. One traveler reported hearing “loud, popping noises” and screams, while another, posting on X, noted “dozens of cops pulled up with rifles.” Social media footage showed a heavy police presence, with dozens of police vehicles surrounding the terminal.

Former Toronto police homicide detective Mark Mendelson called the timing a “logistical nightmare,” noting the shooting occurred during one of the airport’s busiest hours. “This is the peak time at Pearson, this hour of the day,” he told CP24. The partial shutdown of Terminal 1, coupled with a large police presence, led to significant delays, with authorities urging travelers to check flight statuses and avoid the area.

This article is based on reports from CTV News, The Toronto Sun, The US Sun, The Independent, The Star April 24, 2025.

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