
How the American gun that killed a Canadian cop made it across the border and into the hands of a killer
Updated 4 hrs ago
May 24, 2025
12 min read
Save
By Betsy PowellCourts Reporter
This story is the first in a two-part series on the smuggled Glock 19 handgun used to kill OPP Const. Greg Pierzchala and how cheap, legally purchased U.S. weapons are fuelling a Canadian epidemic.
PHOENIX, Ariz.—Cynthia Solano never met Greg Pierzchala, the rookie cop killed on the side of a rural Ontario crossroads.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Betsy Powell is a Toronto-based reporter covering crime and courts for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @powellbetsy.
Report an error
Journalistic Standards
About The Star
More from The Star & partners

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
CTV National News: Closing submissions in the World Juniors sex assault trial
CTV National News: Closing submissions in the World Juniors sex assault trial Defence attorneys for the five former World Junior hockey players says the trial decision comes down to credibility and reliability. Heather Wright reports.


CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
TTC streetcar briefly taken out of service after syringe was found sticking out from seat
A TTC rider said despite them telling employees about the syringe on the seat, the streetcar remained in service until it was reported on the SafeTTC app.


CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
More than $400K of cocaine found hidden in shoes at Pearson airport: CBSA
The Canada Border Service Agency says agents at Toronto's Pearson airport seized more than $400,000 worth of cocaine that was hidden in shoes last month. (X / @CanBorder) The Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) says agents at Toronto's Pearson airport seized more than $400,000 worth of cocaine that was hidden in shoes last month. Border services say they arrested a traveller arriving from Guyana on May 26 after 3.5 kilograms of the drug were discovered inside their luggage. 'The cocaine was found using contraband detection technology,' a CBSA spokesperson told CTV News Toronto in an email. 'Some of the detection technology employed by the CBSA includes ion mobility spectrometry, x-rays and Narcotic Identification Kits. These tools, in combination with the officer's knowledge, experience, training, enable successful enforcement actions.' cocaine shoes The Canada Border Service Agency says agents at Toronto's Pearson airport seized more than $400,000 worth of cocaine that was hidden in shoes last month. (X / @CanBorder) The total value of the cocaine is more than $437,000. Although the flight originated in Guyana, CBSA says it is unable to disclose the traveller's citizenship as 'an individual's border and immigration information is considered private and protected by the Privacy Act.'