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Jeffrey Northrup (April 22, 1966[1] – July 2, 2021) was a Toronto police officer who was killed in the line of duty on July 2, 2021, while responding to a stabbing call in the parking garage below City Hall near Queen and Bay streets in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Northrup had 31 years of service with the Toronto Police Service. He lived in Brampton, Ontario and is survived by his wife, three children and his mother.[2] His funeral service took place on July 12, 2021, at BMO Field.[3] Funeral attendees included Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory.[4]
Jeffrey Northrup | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 22, 1966 |
| Died | July 2, 2021 (aged 55) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Citizenship | Canada |
| Residence(s) | Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation | Police officer |
Umar Zameer was accused of intentionally running over Northrup and was charged with first-degree murder.[5] He pleaded not guilty. In April 2024, he was found not guilty after a trial.[6]
Incident and death
editAt around midnight on July 2, 2021, TPS responded to a call for a stabbing near Toronto City Hall. Northrup, along with Sgt. Lisa Forbes, entered a parking garage under City Hall, where they found Umar Zameer, his wife Aaida Shaikh, and their two-year-old son, sitting in their locked van.[7] Both officers approached Zameer's car with their guns drawn. Security cameras did not capture the initial incident. Zameer and the TPS' account of what happened next differ.[8]
Zameer's account
According to Zameer, neither Northrup nor Forbes identified that they were police when they "rushed towards his car". Having heard of an anti-Muslim attack on a family nearly a month prior, he feared he was being targeted by criminals when the officers banged on his car window. Zameer initially drove forward, but was quickly blocked by an unmarked police vehicle. He then reversed into the laneway, knocking down constable Northrup. Not realizing that he had knocked down Northrup in front of his car, Zameer once again accelerated, running over and mortally wounding the constable.[8]
Toronto Police's account
According to TPS, both officers identified themselves repeatedly when approaching Zameer's vehicle. They claim that Northrup wasn't knocked down by Zameer reversing his car, and Northrup was standing and clearly visible when Zameer ran him over in a deliberate act.[7][9]
Death
Northrup was dragged six meters under Zameer's car, breaking several ribs, fracturing his spine, and lacerating his liver.[8] He was transported to St. Michael's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.[10]
Honours
editThe City of Brampton named a park after Northrup on April 25, 2022.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Jeffrey Northrup Obituary - Thornhill, ON". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ^ Carter, Adam (July 12, 2021). "Slain Toronto police officer Jeffrey Northrup remembered as amiable, gentle giant at funeral". CBC.
- ^ Fox, Chris (July 12, 2021). "Slain officer remembered as 'gentle giant' during BMO Field funeral". CP24. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ^ Tsekouras, Phil (July 12, 2021). "Funeral underway for Toronto police officer killed in the line of duty". CTV News. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
- ^ Tsekouras, Phil (July 2, 2021). "Man charged with first-degree murder in 'deliberate' killing of Toronto police officer". CTV News. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "Jury finds Zameer not guilty in Toronto police officer's death". CTV News. The Canadian Press. April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Raveendran, Rochelle (April 17, 2024). "Toronto cop's death was tragic but not murder, defence says in closing statements". CBC News. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c Loriggio, Paola (March 20, 2024). "Accident or choice? Crown, defence paint drastically different pictures of cop death". Global News. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Marchesan, John (April 21, 2024). "Deliberations continue in trial of man accused of killing Toronto cop". CityNews. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Knope, Julia (July 2, 2021). "Man charged with first-degree murder for death of Toronto officer struck by vehicle". CBC News. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Gamrot, Sabrina (August 11, 2021). "Fallen Toronto police officer and Brampton resident Jeffrey Northrup to have park named in his honour". St. Catharines Standard. St Catharines ON. The Brampton Guardian. Retrieved September 28, 2021.