Murder charge laid in tragic death of OPP officer killed in the line of duty

OPP officer Tarun Bali killed in the line of duty June 9, 2026. PHOTO: FACEBOOK

After Ontario Provincial Police lost one of their own in the line of duty on Tuesday, one person is in custody and facing charges.

Constable Tarun Bali, 29, died Tuesday afternoon in Hearst, Ont.

He was attempting to arrest a suspect, police say, when he was struck by a car.

Police have laid charges, including first-degree murder, against 18-year-old Justin Veronneau in connection with the death of Bali.

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The incident happened in the a Kendall Concession Road 7 near Concession Road 6 in the Hearst, more than 800 kilometres northwest of Barrie.

Commissioner of the OPP, Thomas Carrique, confirmed the arrest at a press conference on Tuesday evening.

Veronneau is also charged with assaulting a police officer, dangerous driving, resisting arrest and flight from police.

“Charges will be filed before the courts as the investigation continues, but those are the charges on which the accused has been arrested,” Carrique said.

Bali was with the Dufferin attachment of OPP, but was on deployment with the James Bay detachment when he was killed in the line of duty.

Bali’s body is expected to arrive at the Chief Coroner’s office in Toronto on Wednesday.

Local Reactions

In a post on social media, Barrie Police Service extended its “deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Cst. Bali of the Ontario Provincial Police at this difficult time.”

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues as they navigate this profound loss,” said South Simcoe Police in a social media post on Wednesday morning.

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall posted his reaction to the death of Bali online.

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of OPP Constable Tarun Bali, who was killed in the line of duty. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues” Nuttall said.

Dufferin OPP covers Shelbourne, Orangeville and Mono, among other places.

“Today, our hearts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Provincial Constable Tarun Bali,” said Shelbourne Mayor Wade Mills.

“We are reminded today of the risks that police officers and other first responders accept in service to our communities each day,” Mills said, adding “may P.C. Bali’s service and sacrifice never be forgotten.”

“This heartbreaking loss is felt far beyond the policing community,” said Orangeville’s Mayor, Lisa Post.

“PC Bali was a member of Dufferin OPP and today we hold his family, friends, colleagues and all members of our local detachment in our thoughts as they navigate an unimaginable grief,” added post in her statement on Facebook.

“To the members of Dufferin OPP and the wider OPP family, please know that your community stands with you,” she said.

“It is with great sadness that we hear OPP Provincial Constable Tarun Bali,” said Mono mayor John Creelman.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and all those who knew him,” Creelman said.