Suspect in Shooting of Toronto Cop Was Out on Bail, Sparking Calls for Bail Reform
A 21-year-old man, Tibor Orgona, has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the shooting of a Toronto police officer earlier this week. Court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto reveal that Orgona was out on bail for charges related to a break-and-enter in King, Ontario, at the time of the alleged offence.
The incident took place near Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue on Wednesday when two individuals approached officers who were investigating a robbery. One of the individuals allegedly shot Constable Tate Davoudy, a five-year member of the Toronto Police Service, in the abdomen. Davoudy was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital with serious injuries but has since been released and is now recovering at home.
Orgona was arrested following the shooting and faces over a dozen charges, including attempted murder. Two others were also taken into custody and are facing robbery-related charges. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the incident, including reports that an officer discharged their firearm, although no one was hit.
Court documents show that Orgona had a troubling legal history before the shooting. He was previously arrested by York Regional Police in May 2023 for an attempted break-and-enter and was charged with 41 offences, including theft, breaking, and violating probation terms. Despite these serious charges, Orgona was released on bail shortly after being taken into custody. Additionally, in 2022, he was found guilty of six weapons-related offences in Fort Frances, Ontario, where he was discovered in possession of three imitation handguns, violating a court order.
Orgona’s release on bail has sparked outrage, with many officials questioning why someone with such a violent history was free on the streets. Ontario Premier Doug Ford voiced his frustration, stating that Orgona “should never have been out on bail” and calling on the federal government to address Canada’s “broken” bail system.
The shooting has reignited calls for bail reform from federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who spoke out in the House of Commons, calling Canada’s current system a “hug a thug, catch-and-release” approach that puts the public at risk. “He is out on probation for many crimes, gets arrested for violating probation, gets released on bail, and allegedly shoots a police officer,” Poilievre said, demanding immediate reform.
Ford also joined the chorus for change, saying, “Enough is enough. The federal government needs to fix our broken bail system so we can keep dangerous criminals behind bars and off our streets.”
However, a spokesperson for Canada’s Justice Minister Arif Virani emphasized that the administration of bail falls under provincial jurisdiction. The spokesperson urged Ontario to “ensure their courts and prosecutors are well resourced” and to address issues within provincial detention facilities. Virani’s office also noted that bail reviews should be considered when there are concerns about inappropriate bail decisions.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Denkiw acknowledged the shooting incident highlights a “broader issue” with the bail system, noting that cases involving repeat violent offenders being released on bail are all too common. He refrained from commenting further on the specifics of Orgona’s case due to the ongoing SIU investigation but stressed that a review of the legislative framework is necessary.
The Toronto police community has rallied in support of Constable Davoudy, who, despite his serious injuries, visited his station after being released from the hospital. Chief Denkiw praised his officers’ response, saying, “There is an amazing sense of police family where our officers come together in these moments, and you recognize that when one of us hurts, we all hurt.”
As the SIU investigation continues, the shooting has placed a renewed focus on Canada’s bail system and the need for reforms that could prevent violent offenders from being released back into the community.
