Toronto police officer killed in ‘ambush’, shooting rampage ends with suspicious death | Media Pyro

On Monday afternoon in Mississauga. A gunman shot and killed a Toronto police officer at the restaurant – in what police described as an unprovoked “ambush” – the first in a series of shootings that killed another and wounded three others.

The attack began at a Tim Hortons restaurant around 2 p.m. The deadly shooting, which spanned three communities west of Toronto, ended around 6:30 p.m., when police said they were fatally shot at a Hamilton cemetery.

Toronto Police Chief James Ramer said. Andrew Hong, 48, was killed during a joint exercise with Peel and York Regional Police. Police said they had stopped at a restaurant to have lunch.

“This is devastating news for his family, for all members of the Toronto Police Service and for our entire police community. We will look to each other as we work to support Constable Hong’s family and each other in our grief,” Ramer told reporters. Monday evening.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duryappa said Hong did not appear to have done anything to the suspect before the attack. “He was shot without provocation, I would say in an ambush,” Duraiyappa said.

Hong, a member of the traffic service unit, had been with the force for 22 years. He has a wife, two children and parents.

Ramer said he met with Hong’s family Monday afternoon, along with the Toronto Police Association’s John Reid, to break the news.

“I have committed to his family that they will have the full support of the Toronto Police Service every day,” Ramer said.

There was a procession of police vehicles when Hong’s body was taken from the scene of death. A line of officers saluted the vehicles as they passed.

On Monday, Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a tweet that all flags at Toronto City Hall, civic centres, Metro Hall and various other city locations will remain at half-mast in memory of Hong. The Toronto sign will also be dimmed in his honor.

Police from Peel Region, Halton Region and Toronto told reporters Monday evening that two people were shot in Mississauga, three were shot in Milton, and the suspect had an “interaction” with Halton Regional Police Service officers in Hamilton.

A man injured in Mississauga suffered life-changing injuries and is being treated at a trauma center in the GTA. Two people were injured in Milton, one in critical condition and the other in critical condition.

The second victim was an auto repair shop owner

Shakeel Ashraf is the second person killed on Monday. Ashraf owns MK Auto Repairs, an auto repair shop in Milton, where the suspect is an employee, Ashraf’s friends said.

Meanwhile, Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has requested its mandate in connection with the suspicious death in Hamilton. The SIU is called when someone is killed or injured in an encounter with police, or when sexual assault allegations are made against officers.

In a tweet, the unit said it was investigating a Halton police officer-involved shooting Monday afternoon on York Boulevard in Hamilton.

Halton Region and Hamilton police on Monday night located a man believed to be involved in “serious incidents in Mississauga and Milton” at 4:30 p.m., SIU spokeswoman Christy Dennett said.

“There was an interaction and police from Halton and Hamilton opened fire,” Dennett said. “As a result, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.”

SIU investigators are looking at several firearms at the scene and trying to determine how many bullets were present and how many rounds were fired. The coroner is also there. The person is being identified. The SIU will inform his next of kin, they said.

The cemetery has a lot to go on, she said.

Dennett said processing of the scene will continue Tuesday.

“It is not clear which gun led to the suspect’s death, and it is not clear if the person was armed and fired,” she said.

Duraiyappa said the first shooting happened at Argentina Road and Winston Churchill Boulevard in Mississauga. Police were called around 2:15 p.m

Peel police issued an emergency alert at 4:25 p.m., saying they were looking for an armed and dangerous active shooter driving a stolen black Jeep Cherokee. They later withdrew the warning. They also released pictures of the suspect.

Police identified the suspect as Shawn Petrie, 30, in the alert.

Within an hour of the Mississauga shooting, Halton police received a report of shots fired in Milton at Bronte Street South, Main Street and King Street.

The suspect in the Mississauga shooting is believed to be involved in the Milton shooting, police told reporters.

In a tweet at 3:25 p.m., Halton police said they closed Bronte Street South from King Street to Main Street to investigate the shooting.

Police said in a tweet an hour later that three people had been shot in Milton. Duraiyappa said the suspect then fled the Halton region and was found in Hamilton.

Hamilton police confirmed Monday that the suspect is dead. Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen said the shooting happened at a Hamilton cemetery.

In a scrum, Bergen said he wanted to “reassure the public that there is no more danger.” No Hamilton officers were injured, he said.

Toronto, Peel, Halton, Hamilton and Ontario Provincial Police were all involved.

Shortly after 4 p.m., Hamilton police were told the suspect was heading into town, shortly after the shooting.

Politicians offer their condolences to the families

Toronto Police Association president John Reed said the union will work to provide all the support Hong’s family, friends and colleagues need.

“Our members go to work every day and serve others, often putting themselves at risk,” he said. “Today is a stark reminder of how this work can turn out for members who make the ultimate sacrifice for the old.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford tweeted after Toronto police identified Hong.

“May Constable Andrew Hong rest in peace. Husband, father, hero, he and his loved ones are in my prayers,” he said.

Torrey said her thoughts are with Hong’s family.

“Today is a sad reminder of the danger our officers face every day as they work to keep us all safe,” he said in a statement.

“In the coming days, I know Toronto residents will join me in supporting the Hong family and our entire police community as they come together to mourn.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie also offered her condolences, saying she was “devastated.”

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones who lost their lives in this unimaginable tragedy. My thoughts are with the victims and their families in hospital and I pray for their speedy and full recovery,” she said.

“Police are working diligently across jurisdictions to find answers to how and why these incidents occurred.”

Timeline of shooting events

• 2:15 pm: Peel Regional Police were called to a shooting at Argentina Road and Winston Churchill Boulevard in Mississauga.
• 2:50 pm: Halton Police are responding to multiple reports of shots fired at an auto shop in Milton. The owner, Shakeel Ashraf, died on the spot and two other injured persons were later taken to the hospital. Police made the announcement in a news release a day after the shooting.
• 3:21 pm: Two people were shot by a man believed to be “armed and dangerous,” Peel police say. One victim was transported to a trauma center. In a tweet, they are asking the public to be on the lookout for a black Jeep Cherokee with a partially identified license plate number containing “905.”
• 3:25 pm: Peel police provide an updated license plate: CLMZ 905. If the public sees the car, police warn, call 911 immediately and do not approach the suspect.
• 3:25 pm: South Halton Police are closing Bronte Street from King Street to Main Street in Milton and are warning the public to avoid the area. In a tweet, they say the suspect fled the area in a black Jeep Cherokee — the same vehicle Peel police alerted the public about minutes earlier.
• 4:05 pm: Peel Police are releasing an updated description of the suspect.
• 4:23 pm: Hamilton Police tweeted that they are monitoring an active shooter situation in the Peel and Halton areas. They say the suspect was last seen in the same black Jeep Cherokee near Highway 407 and Brant Street at 3:04 p.m.
• 4:25 pm: Peel police have issued an emergency alert across the province. They identified the suspect as Shawn Petrie, 30.
• 4:33 pm: Halton Police have confirmed that the suspect has been apprehended. One person in Milton was pronounced dead at the scene and 2 others were taken to hospital. During this time, two people – a Toronto police officer in Mississauga and another man in Milton – were shot and killed. Three others were injured.
• 4:47 pm: Hamilton Police are warning the public in a tweet to stay away from York Boulevard to Dundurn Street North and Highway 403 all the way. Both eastbound and westbound lanes are closed.
• 5:47 pm: Peel police tweeted that the provincial security alert was being lifted. They declare that there is no further threat to public safety related to this incident.
• 6:29 pm: Hamilton police said at a news conference that a man was shot and killed at a Hamilton cemetery in connection with shootings in Peel and Halton.
• 7:34 pm: Hamilton police confirmed in a tweet that the provincial police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, had carried out its order. The SIU is called when police are involved in cases where civilians are seriously injured or killed, or when sexual assault allegations are made against officers.
• 8:00 pm: Police representatives from Toronto, Halton and Peel and Toronto Police Association chief John Reid attend the joint news conference. They announce the death of Toronto Police Constable Andrew Hong. A police procession was then taken out in his honour.