A man suspected of fatally shooting a woman in Brampton, Ontario, and then abducting his one-year-old child was shot dead by police in Niagara Falls following an encounter early Wednesday morning. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Anthony Deschepper, was located at a gas station near Thorold Stone and Montrose roads by officers around 2:30 a.m., according to a statement from Niagara police.
Following the discovery, the Niagara police’s emergency task unit engaged with Deschepper, leading to the fatal outcome. No officers sustained injuries during the incident, and authorities are currently present at the scene. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been called in to investigate the officer-involved shooting, prompting a limitation on the release of further details by the police.
According to SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette, Deschepper was shot multiple times by a single officer, with the circumstances that led to the shooting remaining unclear. However, a firearm was recovered at the scene. Deschepper was being sought in connection with the earlier fatal shooting of a woman in a Brampton plaza parking lot near Queen Street E. and Airport Road on Tuesday afternoon.
Initially, an Amber Alert was issued for the abducted child, but the toddler was later found unharmed. Although police believed the child had been left with family members, they have yet to confirm the exact relationship. Const. Mandeep Khatra described the incident as likely being related to intimate partners, and investigations are ongoing to determine the specifics. The identity and age of the deceased woman have not been disclosed.
Authorities had reason to believe Deschepper was in the Niagara Region, prompting a temporary shelter-in-place order in Crystal Beach, which has since been lifted. Late Tuesday, evidence indicated that Deschepper had left Crystal Beach, leading to his location at the Niagara Falls gas station. He was found in a Chevrolet, different from the Nissan he purportedly used to flee the initial crime scene.
Another woman was discovered in the Chevrolet alongside Deschepper and has been taken into custody with pending charges. The nature of her relationship with Deschepper remains unclear. Anyone with pertinent information is urged to contact the SIU or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Niagara. The investigation has been assigned five SIU investigators and two forensic experts.