WARMINGTON: Toronto cop shot and killed in Mississauga
'This is devastating news': Police chief
Article content
A Toronto Police officer running a training course was shot and killed in Mississauga on Monday afternoon in what Peel Police Chief Nish Duraiappah described as an “unprovoked” attack, which preceded a dramatic string of violence that left three dead and three injured, including the suspect, across various parts of the GTA.
Training Const. Andrew Hong, a 22-year veteran with the Toronto force, died shortly following the daylight attack.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
WARMINGTON: Toronto cop shot and killed in Mississauga Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Police say the suspect — 30-year-old Shawn Petry — was located in Hamilton. He was shot in a cemetery there by Halton Regional Police and the Special Investigations Unit has invoked its mandate.
The violence began around 2:15 p.m. at a Tim Hortons restaurant at Argentia Rd. and Winston Churchill Blvd. in Mississauga.
“While on lunch break, he was shot in an unprovoked, and, may I say, in an ambush attack, and succumbed to his injuries,” Duraiappah said on Monday night. “In the same incident, a second victim suffered life-altering gunshot injuries and is currently being treated at a trauma centre in the GTA.”
Police sources said the second victim was shot during a carjacking and the suspect then drove to Halton Region where sources say he allegedly shot his boss at a mechanic shop in Milton along with two other staff.
Police confirmed one person was killed in that incident.
Recommended video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
The suspect then headed to Hamilton where Halton police fatally shot him in a cemetery, leading the SIU to invoke its mandate.
Toronto Police Chief James Ramer confirmed during a joint news conference on Monday night that Hong, who served in Traffic Services, died at 48 years of age.
Const. Hong is survived by his wife, two children and his parents.
“I committed to his family that they will have the full support of the Toronto Police Service every day going forward,” Ramer said. “This is devastating news for his family and for all members of the Toronto Police Service and our entire policing community. We will lean on each other while we work to support Const. Hong’s family and each other in our grief.”
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Added Toronto Police Association president Jon Reid: “Losing a member in the line of duty has rippling effects across our membership, and across the broader policing community and our city.
“Policing is an honourable professional, it’s a heroic profession. Our members go to work each and every day in service to others, often putting themselves in harm’s way. Today is a stark reminder of how this work can result in members paying the ultimate sacrifice. We all owe Andrew our respect and gratitude.”
Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner called it an “extremely tragic day.”
Tanner said along with the person who was declared dead at the scene in Milton, another was in critical condition and another in serious condition.
In a heart-wrenching moment late Monday night, Toronto Police’s Traffic Services motorcycle unit did a “missing man” processional to escort Hong’s body to the coroner’s office. Many of the officers who earlier in the day were training alongside Hong were part of this emotional tribute to their fallen colleague. They were joined by surrounding police services members.
Late Monday afternoon, an Emergency Alert was issued and later cancelled when Halton cops said the suspect was in custody.
Premier Doug Ford tweeted about the violence.
“Like all Ontarians, I’m horrified by today’s senseless violence, including the killing of a Toronto police officer,” Ford said. “I’m so grateful to law enforcement for bringing this situation to an end. May justice for those killed and injured be swift.”
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said in a statement she was in “utter shock and devastated in light of today’s deadly gun attacks” and added “my thoughts are with the victims in hospital and their families, and I pray for their quick and full recovery.”
