New video evidence in Zameer trial shows moments of panic after Toronto police officer run over
Video evidence in the trial of a man accused of running over and killing a Toronto Police officer shows the panicked reaction of other drivers in the Toronto City Hall Parkade as plainclothes officers slammed their car into the suspect’s vehicle.
Two drivers in the midst of paying for parking in the early morning hours of July 2, 2021 both suddenly jerked forwards, smashing the gate arms at the Queen Street exit of the parkade under Nathan Phillips Square.
Immediately behind them, an unmarked police van had just slammed into a BMW and officers wearing street clothes had jumped out with guns drawn, looking for the driver who had just run over and killed Const. Jeffrey Northrup.
The dramatic events were referenced in the cross-examination Tuesday of Const. Scharnil Pais, one of the officers in the car chasing the BMW, which carried Umar Zameer, his pregnant wife and their two-year-old son.
“Did you know there was a toddler in the vehicle?” asked Zameer’s lawyer, Nader Hasan.
“I did not,” responded Pais.
“Did you know there was a pregnant woman in the vehicle?” Nader pressed.
“I did not,” said Pais.
Zameer is charged with first degree murder in Northrup’s death, which prosecutors have claimed was a deliberate act.
However his lawyer has said in court that Zameer reacted by trying to escape from what he thought were people trying to attack him late at night in the parkade, and didn’t know they were police officers.
Pais and Northrup's partner, Sgt. Lisa Forbes, have testified that Northrup and Forbes showed their badges and announced they were police officers when trying to stop Zameer's vehicle, though Zameer's lawyer has raised questions about their accounts.
Pais and his partner Tony Correa witnessed Northrup being run over and gave chase to the BMW, Pais testified.
They caught up to the BMW at the Queen Street exit to the parkade, and Correa, who was driving, slammed into the vehicle, Pais testified.
A screen grab from a video shows panicked response from drivers in the Toronto City Hall Parkade as plainclothes officers slammed their car into a suspect’s vehicle.
Pais jumped out to the passenger side with his gun drawn and pulled Zameer’s wife from the vehicle, who screamed there was a child in the car and told him they didn’t know the plainclothes officers were police.
Correa cuffed Zameer on the driver’s side. Pais testified he punched Zameer in the face area when Zameer didn’t follow commands – but in cross-examination it emerged that Zameer was already cuffed and on the ground.
“You punched him because you were angry,” Hasan said.
“I punched him because he didn’t get off the ground,” Pais responded.
Canadian law says that police are allowed to use reasonable force in their duties, but can’t use excessive force.
Hasan also took Pais through another incident where Pais was found to have committed misconduct when he arrested a group of Black teenagers on Toronto Community Housing property in 2011, known as the Neptune Four.
“You arrested them for assaulting police. But they didn’t assault anybody, correct?” Hasan asked.
“Subjectively, my belief was different at the time,” Pais responded.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Manitoba man sentenced to house arrest for keeping fishing tournament funds meant for Children's Hospital Foundation
A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.