First-degree murder charges have been laid against a pair in the death of a young provincial police officer near Hagersville.
According to investigators, at around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, a Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was shot while responding to a vehicle in a ditch at Indian Line and Concession 14 of Walpole.
Police said two suspects, took off from the scene which resulted in an emergency alert being issued, asking the public to stay indoors while officers searched for the pair who were said to have been armed and dangerous. The pair were taken into custody several hours later.
The slain officer was later identified by OPP as 28-year-old Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala, a provincial constable who had served on the force for just over a year. Early Wednesday morning, a gathering of provincial police and other police officers, first responders and community members gathered for a procession as Pierzchala was moved from West Haldimand Hospital to the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario in Toronto.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the two suspects, identified as 25-year-old Randall McKenzie, of Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation and 30-year-old Brandi Stewart-Sperry, of Hamilton, were both charged with first-degree murder.
The two remain in custody and are scheduled to make another appearance before a judge on January 17, 2023.
During an OPP media briefing late Wednesday evening from Haldimand OPP headquarters in Cayuga, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said Pierzchala was told he had completed his probation with the OPP on the day of his death. He had been patrolling independently since April.
"[Pierzchala] had earned himself a highly regarded and respected reputation from his peers for his dedication to duty, his commitment to being there when his colleagues needed him most," Carrique said in his address to the media."They knew they could rely upon him in the most dangerous and stressful situations. His family is grieving and we're asking that we respect their privacy."
According to Carrique, Pierzchala is the fifth OPP officer to be shot in killed while on duty since September. While few details about what transpired between Pierzchala and the two accused are available, police say he was shot a short time after confronting the pair. Carrique said Pierzchala did not discharge his own weapon during the interaction.
McKenzie and Stewart-Sperry were allegedly in a stolen vehicle when Pierzchala approached them in the ditch. Carrique said the suspects reportedly took off and robbed another individual of their vehicle after Pierzchala was shot. The pair were on foot when they were apprehended by police. A number of officers with OPP aviation, canine, emergency response, tactics and rescue unit, among other OPP branches and the Six Nations Police Service assisted in their arrest. A semi-automatic handgun was seized after both were arrested.
Police say McKenzie was out on bail when he was arrested Tuesday. Carrique said McKenzie is said to have been arrested several times in the past for firearms-related crimes. In 2018, he was placed under a lifetime firearms ban.
"In 2021, McKenzie was again charged with several firearms-related offences and assaulting a peace officer. He was later released on bail on a number of conditions, which included to remain in his residence and not possess any firearms amongst other restrictive conditions," said Carrique.
Carrique said McKenzie was scheduled to appear in court to answer to his charges on September 6, 2022, however he failed to attend his hearing, which resulted in him having additional criminal charges laid against him and a warrant out for his arrest.
"Needless to say the murder of Cst. Greg was preventable," said Carrique. "This should have never happened. Something needs to change. Our police officers, your police officers, the public deserve to be safe guarded against violent offenders who are charged with firearms-related offences."
The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Carrique said officers will be near the area where Pierzchala was shot in the coming days looking to speak with possible witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call Haldimand OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
More information about Pierzchala's funeral will be shared over the next several days.