Man suspected of shooting officer arrested after 24-hour standoff in Welland, Ont.

A 59-year-old man suspected of shooting a police officer in a city southwest of Niagara Falls has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after a nearly 24-hour standoff, police said.

Niagara Regional Police said the suspect was arrested just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday and the shelter-in-place order and road closures in the area of Plymouth Road and Second Street in Welland, Ont., have been lifted.

The shelter-in-place order was issued around 7:45 a.m. Friday after police were met with gunfire while helping bylaw officers deal with a “fencing issue” around what is believed to be an old church converted into a home.

An officer was shot in the chest during the exchange, and the suspect had barricaded himself inside the home that he owns, police said. The officer was taken to hospital as a precaution and was later released with minor injuries.

The Special Investigations Unit, Ontario’s police watchdog agency, said in a statement Saturday that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the “serious injury” suffered by the 59-year-old man, who it said was shot by a police officer.

The statement said the man suffered a gunshot wound during an exchange of gunfire with police the previous day. It said he remains in hospital in stable condition.

Police said officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect during the standoff and they sent remote cameras into the residence in the evening and overnight hours, which were all shot at and disabled.

“Every time we did that the suspect met those cameras with gunfire, just demonstrating a blatant disregard for public safety and the safety of officers,” Const. Richard Hingley told reporters Saturday morning.

Hingley said the suspect, identified as Daniel Tronko, could face additional charges as the investigation continues. He said the man was taken to an out-of-town hospital to be treated for his injuries, adding that no one else was inside the home throughout the standoff with police.

Hingley said Tronko was “well known” to local residents and to city staff in Welland, but did not elaborate.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about the case, including video or photos, to contact its lead investigator.

Friday’s events forced road closures and lockdowns at local schools and hospitals, and police say there is no remaining threat to public safety.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Dec. 20, 2025.

Cassidy McMackon, The Canadian Press