A man has been convicted and sentenced to nine years in custody by the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket, following a police-involved shooting which occurred in July 2025.
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, at approximately 6:55 p.m., York Regional Police attempted to stop the driver of a stolen vehicle in the area of Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue East, in the City of Markham. The driver failed to stop and attempted to escape by colliding with police vehicles.
The driver was boxed in by officers in the area of Kennedy Road and Bonis Avenue, in the City of Toronto. The suspect then discharged a firearm at police. One officer discharged their firearm, striking the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
On Friday, March 27, 2026, 31-year-old Kuot AKOL was found guilty of Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer, Discharge Firearm with Intent, Possession of a Restricted Firearm, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Fail to Comply with Release Order and Possess Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order.
AKOL had previously been released on bail with GPS monitoring for a number of firearms offences committed in the City of Toronto between 2022 and 2023.
In February 2025, just days before his scheduled court appearance for those offences, AKOL removed his GPS ankle monitoring device and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On February 27, 2025, AKOL was convicted and sentenced in absentia by the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto and received an eight-year sentence.
AKOL has been sentenced to an additional nine years for the York Regional Police charges, to be served consecutively to his existing sentence in Toronto.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers our officers face each and every day,” said Chief Jim MacSween. “Yet again we see a repeat offender carrying an illegal firearm. The risk to the public and officers is unacceptable. We are very pleased to see a significant sentencewhich reflects the gravity of this threat.”
Crime prevention is our shared responsibility: Find up-to-date crime data in York Region on the Community Safety Data Portal, or become a partner in community safety by signing up for the Security Camera Registry today.
Prepared by: Constable James Dickson
25-236947
April 2, 2026
