Suspect in GTA shooting rampage was a former employee of Milton auto body shop, cousin of victim says
New details are emerging about a gunman who fatally shot a Toronto police officer at a Mississauga coffee shop on Monday afternoon and then opened fire on three people at a Milton auto body shop less than an hour later, killing one of them.
The Milton shooting took place at around 2:50 p.m. after the suspect had already reportedly killed Toronto police Const. Andrew Hong in what authorities have described as an “unprovoked,” ambush-style attack inside a Tim Hortons.
So far a motive for the rampage isn’t clear but on Tuesday CTV News did speak with a cousin of Milton victim Shakeel Ashraf, who confirmed that the suspect was a former employee at the garage owned by the deceased - MK Auto Repairs.
“I don’t know him personally. He used to work at the shop about a year ago and he was there for a short period of time from what I understand,” Arslan Hanif said. “I just can’t find a motive, especially for a person like Shakeel. He contributed to the community, he gave his time donating to charities, he was a gem.
Hanif told CTV News that his cousin was out for lunch when the suspect first arrived at the auto body shop.
He said that he was told the suspect enquired about his cousin’s whereabouts and then hung around the shop until he returned.
Police have said that a total of three people were ultimately shot inside the repair shop. Ashraf, 38, was pronounced dead on scene while two others were rush to hospital with critical and serious injuries, respectively.
The suspect fled the scene but was ultimately located in Hamilton and shot and killed by police a few hours later. That incident is now being probed by the Special Investigations Unit.
“It is hard to believe. It is shocking. The family is still in shock. I spoke to the father yesterday, his brother, they are just in shock. They aren’t in the right state of mind,” Hanif told CTV News.
Police have released limited details about the circumstances surrounding the shootings so far.
Police sources did tell CP24 earlier on Tuesday that Hong was sitting at a table eating his lunch inside a Tim Hortons after participating in a training exercise with several other motorcycle officers when he was ambushed at point-blank range.
The sources also say that it is believed that the suspect tried to retrieve Hong’s service pistol from its holster following the shooting but was unable to do so due to a safety lock.
He ultimately fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, eventually showing up at an auto body shop in Milton.
POLICE ISSUED ACTIVE SHOOTER ALERT
At one point following Monday’s violence, police released a public safety alert due to what they described as an “active shooter” situation.
The suspect, however, was ultimately located in Hamilton and shot and killed by police a few hours later in an incident that is now being probed by the Special Investigations Unit.
In a news conference on Monday night, Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah expressed his condolences, describing the shooting of Hong as “unprovoked” and an “ambush attack.”
Duraiappah also said that a “second innocent victim suffered life-altering gunshot injuries” as a result of the Mississauga incident.
It is not clear how that individual was injured.
Hong was a 22-year-veteran of the force who was also a married father of two.
He is being remembered by friends and colleagues today as a “gentle giant” who was “larger than life.”
Ashraf, meanwhile, has been described as a 'devoted father' and avid cricket player with deep roots in the community.
“I’ve known him for over 15 years,” one longtime customer told CP24 on Tuesday. “He has been out go-to guy for any issues with the car, any information on cars, not only for me, for my children as well. A loving, just an affectionate family man.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Canada's premiers forced to confront escalating climate change-related disasters
Many of Canada's provincial and territorial leaders remained consumed by climate change-related natural disasters that have only escalated since they met for meetings in Halifax last week.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Unclaimed bodies are piling up in Newfoundland. A funeral director blames the government
A funeral director in St. John's says the bodies piling up in freezers at Newfoundland and Labrador's largest hospital likely belong to people whose loved ones couldn't get enough government help to pay for a funeral.
U.K. police officer suspended after video appears to show a man being kicked in head
A British police officer was suspended from all duties Thursday after a video was posted on social media that appeared to show an officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying on the floor of a terminal at Manchester Airport.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Monday breaks the record for the hottest day ever on Earth
Driven by oceans that won't cool down, an unseasonably warm Antarctica and worsening climate change, Earth's record hot streak dialed up this week, making Monday the hottest day humans have measured.