A fatal shooting at Toronto Pearson International Airport shut down part of a busy terminal Thursday, causing early-morning chaos at the busy travel hub.
Shots rang out at the departures level at Terminal 1 at Canada’s busiest airport shortly before 7 a.m.
The officer-involved shooting took place just outside the terminal.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) – Ontario’s police watchdog – said three officers discharged their firearms at a 30-year-old man in distress after he allegedly produced a handgun. None of the officers were injured.
The SIU has now taken over the investigation into the fatal shooting.
Pearson says the road to Terminal 1 departures has since completely reopened, for both parking and passenger drop-off.
Images from the scene showed a number of travellers carrying their bags, being led down the road by police in order to avoid the shooting scene.
Former Toronto police homicide detective Mark Mendelson called the situation a “logistical nightmare,” with thousands of passengers passing through the busy airport during the morning rush.
The departures board at Pearson showed a number of delays for early-morning flights, but most flights appear to be on time.
Due to a Peel Police investigation outside Terminal 1 departures, passengers and vehicles are being rerouted to enter and exit through T1 arrivals.
— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) April 24, 2025
We will provide updates throughout the morning.
“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 said in a post on X following the shooting.
In a further update later in the morning, the airport said that flights “continue to operate normally” and that the parking garage at Terminal 1 remains open.
“Passengers can also park at Terminal 3 and the Viscount Station Kiss and Fly lot and take the train to Terminal 1,” the airport advised.
Peel Regional police called the shooting “an isolated incident” and said there are no known threats to public safety. Still, they warned that there will likely be delays at the terminal.
TTC bus service to the airport was detouring to Terminal 3 because of the investigation, but regular service has since resumed.
It’s not yet clear when the terminal will fully reopen.
With files from Codi Wilson
