Crown reveals OPP officer’s body cam shows he was shot six times

It was just two days after Christmas in 2022 that Ontario Provincial Police Const. Greg Pierzchala was shot and killed on what should have been a routine traffic stop.

As the trial of his alleged killers began in Cayuga on Thursday, the public learned the fallen officer’s body camera captured the moments six bullets ripped through him.

Just hours before the shooting, Pierzchala had been told he had passed his ten-month probation period with the OPP.

Inside court Thursday, the jury heard the Crown’s opening statement, laying out its case against Randall McKenzie, 25, — the alleged shooter— and Brandy Stewart-Sperry, 30, who is accused of helping McKenzie escape.

At the time of the shooting, McKenzie was on bail for unrelated charges despite having a history of violent criminal offences.

READ MORE: Trial for OPP Const. Greg Pierzchala’s alleged killers set to begin Thursday

Pierzchala, 28, was responding to what seemed like a minor crash in Haldimand County when, prosecutors say, McKenzie fired six times, striking the officer in the chest, thigh and abdomen.

Jurors also heard from the first two witnesses — bystanders who arrived before police, offering to help the accused with their crashed vehicle.

The witnesses described seeing Stewart-Sperry waving her arms for help, while another person remained in the vehicle.

Pierzchala then reportedly pulled up to the scene and moments later he was shot several times. The Crown says that’s when the accused, Randall McKenzie, stole a woman’s truck at gunpoint and fled.

This trial is expected to last six to seven weeks. Both of the accused have pleaded not guilty.

For now, the jury is being reminded to remain impartial as one of Ontario’s most high-profile cases plays out in court.

Key evidence including police bodycam footage, forensic reports and additional witness testimony is expected to come in the trial, as well as the arguments from the defence.