Death of Slain Officer ‘Preventable,’ Says Ontario Police Commissioner
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The death of Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala was “preventable,” Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique said at a news conference on Dec. 29. “This should never have happened,” he said.
The province’s top cop appeared visibly emotional, saying he was “outraged” that one of the suspects is a repeat offender who had been released from prison.
The suspect was already prohibited from having a firearm by two previous court orders, from 2016 and 2018. The gun allegedly involved was a handgun with its serial number removed.
Pierzchala was a rookie police officer on his first solo call when he was shot to death on Dec. 27.
“The officer was ambushed and stood absolutely no chance of being able to defend himself,” Carrique said. “[Suspect Randall] Mckenzie was out on bail and able to take the life of an innocent officer. This should have never happened,” he said.
“Something needs to change. Our police officers, your police officers, my police officers, the public deserve to be safeguarded against violent offenders who are charged with firearms-related offences,” the commissioner said.
“I’m outraged by the fact that McKenzie was out on bail and was provided the opportunity to take the life of an innocent officer. And I know that there’s a lot of interest in ensuring to see that changes are made to ensure, where possible, people who are charged with violent offences that are firearms-related are not in those positions moving forward,” Carrique said.
Routine Call
Pierzchala was killed near Hagersville, Ontario, after responding to a routine call about a vehicle in a ditch just after 2:30 p.m.
Two suspects, Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry, 30, of Hamilton, and McKenzie, 25, of Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, have been charged with first-degree murder. They allegedly shot the officer as he approached the vehicle they were in, which police say was stolen.
Pierzchala was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries but could not be saved.
McKenzie had a warrant out for his arrest, and had already been sentenced to three years in jail for assault with a weapon and theft of a motor vehicle. He had served time for a 2017 robbery and had a string of charges and convictions against him.
“Since 2018, MacKenzie has been prohibited for life for possessing any firearm. And further, in 2021, McKenzie was again charged with several firearms related offences and assaulting a peace officer,” said the OPP Commissioner.
On Bail
According to the commissioner, McKenzie was released on bail after the 2021 charges with a number of conditions, including remaining in his residence. He was supposed to appear in court in September to deal with the charges, but did not show up for court.
A warrant was issued for his arrest.
The commissioner said the two suspects fled the scene in the vehicle. They later dumped the vehicle and went into a wooded area on foot to hide from police, he said.
They were tracked and arrested within “close proximity” to the scene of the crime, said Carrique.
The slain police officer was equipped with a body cam, that police say will form part of the evidence. Police are also seeking independent witnesses to the shooting.
“So despite having some video evidence, we are relying on members of the community who saw anything to cooperate with the investigation,” the commissioner said.
Lifetime Weapon Ban
A seven-page parole document, which CTV obtained and published portions of, detailed McKenzie’s time in prison for a 2017 robbery. He was sentenced to almost three years for robbery, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and failure to comply.
In May 2017, according to the parole documents, McKenzie approached a restaurant owner leaving his business and getting into his vehicle with a money pouch. He pointed a handgun at him, ordered him to give up his keys, pointed the gun at a witness, and stole his vehicle, after hitting him in the head with the gun.
One month later, McKenzie turned himself in to police. He was already on bail and probation at the time, and subject to weapons prohibitions. On that occasion, he did not receive bail and said he needed the money for drugs.
The judge in the case imposed a lifetime weapon prohibition and made a $1,000 restitution order.
McKenzie had previous charges for assault, failure to comply, and mischief. The probation document gives a lengthy list of additional convictions and probation orders, and shows he had allegedly assaulted girlfriends and failed to complete rehabilitative programs ordered by the court.
Once on probation, he had inconsistent reporting habits, the document shows. While in jail for one sentence, he allegedly stabbed another inmate and was kept in maximum security or solitary confinement.
The parole documents say the suspect continued to violate rules in prison and did not complete any programs. A Corrections Canada plan assessed McKenzie as having high needs in areas of substance abuse, personal/emotional, and attitude; and moderate needs in education/employment, marital/family, and associates.
His first statutory release from prison was in December 2019, and lasted under two weeks. He was ordered to live at a community-based residential facility.
Pierzchala, a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, had just completed his probation period the morning of his death, and was on his first solo patrol when he was killed. He was a former competitive wrestler and athlete who participated in soccer, track and field, rowing, swimming, and weight-training.
The suspects appeared in court on Dec. 28 and were remanded back into custody, with the next scheduled bail hearing on Jan. 17. Both were told they cannot communicate with each other, with potential witnesses, or with the family of the killed officer.
Pierzchala is the fourth officer to be killed while on duty in Ontario since September.
Marnie Cathcart is a reporter based in Edmonton.
