Book of condolences set up following death of on-duty Toronto officer

Flowers are being laid in honour of a Toronto police officer who was "ambushed" in a rampage that killed another man and injured 3 more. Cynthia Mulligan reports.

The family of the Toronto police officer killed in Mississauga on Monday say they are “overwhelmed with the love and support” that has come in the hours since his death.

Const. Andrew Hong was shot and killed in what police have described as an “ambush attack.” The 48-year-old was in Mississauga for a training session and was on his lunch break when he was shot at close range, police said.

In a statement, Hong’s family said his absence has ” left a gaping hole in the hearts of our family, the police family, and everyone who knew and loved Andrew.”

“We are grateful for the outpouring of support. Andrew was magnetic. He was a man of steel on the outside, with a warm teddy bear personality on the inside. His personality was larger than life,” read their statement.

“He loved his Police family and was so proud to be a member of the Toronto Police Service, and especially loved being a part of the Motor Unit.”


andrew hong

A memorial set up for slain Toronto police officer Andrew Hong. Hong was killed while on-duty during a shooting rampage that began in Mississauga on Sep. 12, 2022. CITYNEWS/Bryan Carey


Toronto police say a book of condolences will be set up this week to allow the public to pay its respects to the fallen officer.

Spokeswoman Stephanie Sayer says the book of condolences for Hong will be available to the public in person and online.

Sayer says planning for Hong’s funeral is currently underway and that the force is working closely with his family regarding their wishes.

Hong was 22-year veteran, survived by wife and two children

Police services, officials and organizations across the province have shared their condolences throughout the day following his on-duty death.

“This is devastating news for his family and for all members of the Toronto Police Service and our entire policing community,” said Toronto Police Chief James Ramer in a statement. “We will lean on each other while we work to support Constable Hong’s family and each other in our grief.”

“I met with his family in their home this afternoon to confirm the death. I committed to his family that they will have the full support of the Toronto Police Service every day going forward.”

Hong was a 22-year veteran of the service and is survived by his wife and two children.

A bouquet of flowers was seen outside of the police headquarters in downtown Toronto on Tuesday morning. A note on the flowers read, “rest in peace, brother.”



Toronto Mayor John Tory spoke to the media briefly before the Toronto Police Services Board meeting, calling the incident a “senseless tragedy.”

“All of these are tragedies when you lose a police officer, but this is so senseless. I just am so overwhelmed with grief for the family,” Tory said.

“On behalf of all people of the city of Toronto extended my sympathies to the family and to the police family and just thank them for the service that they render. And sometimes obviously very dangerous circumstances.”

He also expressed his condolences to the family of the second man killed in the shooting spree, who has been identified as Shakeel Ashraf by friends and family.

“I extend my sympathies as well to the families of those who were affected by this, including the other person that lost their life. But, again, the frustration at the moment is that there seems to be no rational explanation as to why anything would have happened,” Tory shared. “Maybe the investigation will reveal that over time, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that it was a great tragedy within the police community, but also in the community at large.”

The Toronto sign was dimmed on Monday night to honour the slain constable.

Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg called Hong an “incredible human being” and “a close personal friend.”

“With profound sadness, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Toronto Police Services family on the devastating loss of an officer,” said Pegg.

Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie offered condolences to Hong’s family and fellow officers.

“My heart breaks for his wife, two children, his parents, friends, and fellow officers,” said Crombie.

Toronto Police Association President Jon Reid called Hong’s death a “stark reminder” of the risks and sacrifices officers make on the job each day.

“We all owe Andrew our respect and gratitude,” he said.

Another person suffered life-altering injuries at the same location where Hong was shot. The spree continued less than an hour later in Halton Region, where three people were shot at an auto body shop in Milton, with one person dying. The other two victims are in critical and serious condition in hospital.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford tweeted that he was “horrified” by the killings and grateful that police officers were able to bring the situation to a conclusion.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement on the incident, saying his thoughts are “with all those who knew the police officer killed in the line of duty in Mississauga today.”

 

No motive in the shooting spree has been determined yet.

In a statement late Monday, the SIU noted preliminary information indicated police shot the suspect in the cemetery. The SIU said paramedics were called, but the man died at the scene.


With files from Michael Talbot

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