Omar Zamir apologizes in court

TORONTO – A man accused of running over a Toronto police officer nearly three years ago tearfully apologized to the man's family in court this morning.

Umar Zamir told a packed courtroom that he could not stop thinking about Det Day. Const. Jeffrey Northrup died, he didn't want to hurt the officer and wanted him back.

Moments ago, Zamir described feeling “terrified” when he discovered that what he thought was a speed bump was actually a man and a police officer.

He recalled praying for the man's recovery as he was taken to the police station, and recalled being shocked to hear the man had died.

Zamir has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Northrup's death. The officer died on July 2, 2021 after being hit by a car in an underground parking garage.

The court heard earlier that Northrup and his partner – both dressed in plain clothes – were investigating the stabbing when they entered a garage below Toronto City Hall. Zamir was not involved in the stabbing.

Crown prosecutors say Zamir chose to make a series of maneuvers with his car that led to Northrup's death, but the defense says the officer's death was a tragic accident.

Defense attorneys said neither Zamir nor his wife – who was eight months pregnant at the time – were unaware that the men who approached them in the largely empty parking lot were police officers. At that time, their little son was with them.

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 11, 2024.