Police kill gunman at Toronto-area bank

25-year-old male dead

MAPLE, ONT. • A dramatic hostage situation at a bank north of Toronto ended abruptly on Wednesday when police killed the lone gunman.

No one else was injured but those inside the Royal Bank of Canada branch in Maple, Ont., were “definitely traumatized,” said York Regional Police Const. Andy Pattenden.

Police raced to the scene after a call at about 1 p.m. and found the gunman as well as a number of other people inside, both staff and clients.

“Officers arriving on the scene were able to get some of those inside out to safety,” Pattenden said. “It did turn into a hostage situation for us.”

The bank is in a plaza that also includes a child-care centre, dental office, drug store and other outlets.

Officers helped daycare staff carry dozens of children between the ages of 10 months and four years to the safety of a nearby transit bus.

Pattenden said he had no details as to how many people had been held hostage at the bank or whether the gunman had made any specific demands.

“I can’t even tell you it was a robbery,” Pattenden said. “(But) being in the bank with a gun was very threatening.”

A negotiating team was brought in, to no avail.

In a statement, RBC said it was “extremely relieved” customers and employees were safe.

“Out of respect for our clients and employees who were involved in this incident, and the ongoing investigation, we will not be commenting further,” the bank said.

Ontario’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, is reviewing how officers handled the incident.

SIU spokesman Jason Gennaro told reporters on Wednesday evening that two police officers used their firearms during the interaction with the gunman.

He said he could not identify those involved, but said the 25-year-old gunman was pronounced dead on scene.