Const. Andrew Hong, a 22-year veteran of the Toronto police, was shot and killed in an “ambush attack.” He was 48.
Hong is survived by his wife, two teenage children and his parents.
Hong, who was a member of the Toronto Police Traffic Services Unit – Motor Vehicle Squad, was one of two people shot in a shooting spree in the GTA Monday afternoon involving the same suspect.
The other person, identified as 38-year-old Shakeel Ashraf, died after being shot at a Milton auto repair shop. Three others were also injured after shots were fired in the two incidents.
The shooter, who has not yet been identified, was called “armed and dangerous” in an active shooter alert issued by police. The shooter died after an interaction with Halton police at a Hamilton cemetery.
Hong was in Mississauga for a joint training exercise with members of the Toronto and York regional police forces. He had reportedly stopped at a Tim Hortons for lunch around 2:15 p.m. where he was fatally shot at close range in what Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah described as an “ambush attack”. Hong died at the scene.
In the family statement released Tuesday night through the police union, Hong’s family said his absence “left a gaping hole” in the hearts of all who knew him.
“We are grateful for the 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,” the statement said.
Family said he was a practical joker who got along with everyone.
“He loved his police family and was so proud to be part of the Toronto Police Service and especially loved being part of the Motor Vehicle Unit,” the statement said.
The family said they are “devastated” by the outpouring of love and support and have asked for privacy as they grieve.
Andrew Hong, 48, is seen in this undated photo. Members of Hong’s police family also paid tribute to their fallen colleague on Tuesday. “Andrew was a big boy with a big heart, a huge heart,” she said. Acting Superintendent of Traffic Services Matt Moyer told CP24 Tuesday afternoon. “I’ve known him for a while and he always had this wonderful way of coming in and asking for a favor that wasn’t realistic. “Boss, we need this, we need this. I know our budget is tight, but do we need this or do we need that,’ and then he would walk away waiting for that to happen. He was loved and had a great personality. Great personalities are hard to replace in our business.” Multiple officers who spoke with CP24 on Tuesday said the 6-foot-6 Hong was often referred to as “Honger” around Traffic Services, noting that it was a term of endearment for a well-loved colleague. Speaking to CP24, Moyer said Traffic Services is a “different building today” following Hong’s senseless death, but said it was “understandable” given the magnitude of the loss experienced. “Today is Tuesday, it’s a very difficult day. I think Wednesday will be a little less difficult and hopefully on Thursday the sun will come out,” he said. “It’s usually business as far as I’m concerned and I know Andrew wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“LARGER THAN LIFE”
Hong is fondly remembered by his colleagues today for his wit and heart, with one former inspector telling CP24 that his death will leave “an incredible void” in the Traffic Services.
Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg met Hong professionally at work and called him a “very close” friend.
“Andrew was larger than life. Physically he was larger than life and his personality was in the room before he was. … We had a lot of laughs,” he told CP24 Monday night shortly after a gathering of hundreds of colleagues to pay their respects to Hong before his body was taken to the Coroner’s Services and Forensic Complex at Keele and Wilson Streets in North York.
Pegg said Hong was a police officer whose dedication to the job was “unwavering”. She called him “brave beyond description.”
“To see something like this happen in our city with people I love and care about, there are no words for it,” said Pegg, who called the killing “an unspeakable thing.”
“Our hearts are broken.”
Andrew Hong is seen at his graduation from the Ontario Police College in this photo released Tuesday by the Toronto Police Service. Interim Toronto Police Chief James Ramer officially announced Hong’s death Monday night in Mississauga. “It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Toronto Police Constable Andrew Hong of Traffic Services,” he said during a press conference. Calling Hong a “husband, father and son,” Ramer said he has pledged to the slain officer’s family that they will have the “full support of the Toronto Police Service every day going forward.” “This is devastating news for his family and for all members of the Toronto Police Service and our entire police community. We will lean on each other as we work to support Constable Hong’s family and each other in our grief,” he said. Toronto Mayor John Tory said the officer’s death is “deeply saddened,” adding that it was clear Hong was a “beloved” colleague, something he saw firsthand Monday night as many officers from the Traffic Services “tears running” faces.” “(Hong) was someone who meant a lot to them,” he said, adding that the officers, while not perfect, “got up every morning and put on a uniform and go out into danger.” “This is one of those things that just breaks your heart.” Tory had personally met the fallen officer during the pandemic when he was doing some security work and called him a “gentle giant of a man”. “Everyone who met him liked him,” she said. Funeral arrangements for Hong are still in the works at this time.
