OFFICER SHOT DURING DRUG BUST

Police hunt for 'dangerous' suspect

TORONTO -- An undercover Toronto police officer was shot twice last night
during a drug sting.

The officer, 46, underwent emergency surgery at Sunnybrook Health Science
Centre and was in stable condition early this morning. His life was not
thought to be in danger.

"It appears it was a drug takedown of sorts and the officer was taken down
with it," said Sergeant Reg Wright.

The shooting occurred shortly after a police team tried to arrest two men
in a library parking lot beside the Shoppers' World Albion Mall in Rexdale,
near Finch Avenue and Albion Road, shortly after 9:30 p.m.

The team tried to arrest the two, but both fled on foot, police spokesman
Constable Devin Kealey said. The officers chased the men and arrested one.
Some of the drug squad officers went after the second, following him into a
residential neighbourhood for several hundred metres through back yards.
The suspect started shooting in front of a townhouse on Kendleton Drive,
wounding one officer in the arm and chest.

Police did not release the name of the injured officer, who is a 24-year
veteran and lives with his wife north of the city. Police spokesmen would
not say whether the officers shot at the suspects.

A two-kilometre-square area northeast of the airport was cordoned off early
this morning and police from across Toronto were searching it. Local
residents were being warned to be careful. "He's armed and dangerous and we
obviously don't want anyone to approach him," said Const. Kealey.

"We have officers from all throughout Toronto that have been brought into
this area to assist."