(Mississauga) The suspect who allegedly triggered two shootings in the greater Toronto area and left two dead – including a police officer – and three injured Monday afternoon was shot dead, the various police forces in the region confirmed in the evening.
Updated yesterday at 8:55 p.m.
Police say the victim is Constable Andrew Hong, 48, who had more than 20 years of law enforcement service. He is survived by his wife and two children.
The identity of the killed police officer was revealed Monday evening during a press briefing which brought together the various police services of the Greater Toronto Area, which at the same time confirmed that the suspect in this file had been shot dead in the cemetery of Hamilton.
This police operation was linked to the shootings that took place earlier in the day in the areas of Peel and Halton, in the suburbs of Toronto. Authorities believe the same suspect – the one who was shot – carried out both shootings.
The first shots were reportedly fired around 2:15 p.m. in Mississauga, where two people were reportedly shot. Police confirmed that Officer Hong was taken to a trauma center, where he was pronounced dead. Another person was also wounded by bullets during this shooting. His injuries were life-threatening.
According to the authorities’ account, Constable Hong was “attacked” and “killed at close range” by the suspect during his lunch break near a Tim Hortons. Officer Hong was not on patrol at the time of the tragedy. During the day, he lent himself to a training exercise.
After opening fire in Mississauga, the suspect reportedly fled in a dark colored Jeep Cherokee. Less than an hour later, it is said to have raged again, this time in the town of Milton.
Halton Regional Police say one person died and two others were injured and taken to hospital in the second shooting, which took place around 3 p.m. at an auto parts garage. In the evening, one of the injured people was still in critical condition, while the second was in serious condition.
Around 4:30 p.m., an alert was sent regarding an “armed and dangerous” suspect traveling in a Jeep Cherokee. Halton police confirmed a few minutes later that the suspect had been arrested.
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit is currently investigating the Halton police operation that led to the suspect’s death. In their statement to the media, the police did not provide any information on the suspect.
On Twitter, Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote, “Like all Ontarians, I am horrified by today’s violent events, including the death of a Toronto police officer. I am very grateful to law enforcement for putting an end to this situation. Let justice for those killed and injured be done quickly. »