Mississauga Tim Hortons reopens after fatal shooting of Toronto police officer

A Mississauga Tim Hortons that was the scene of the fatal shooting of Toronto Const. Andrew Hong has reopened.

Hong, 48, a 22-year member of the force, was ambushed from behind and shot at close range as he was on a lunch break at the Argentia Rd./Winston Churchill Blvd. Tim Hortons on Monday (Sept. 12).

In the days following the shooting, the Tim Hortons remained closed as the police investigation continued. A memorial of flowers and cards has grown outside the restaurant.

A staff member at the Tim Hortons confirmed on today (Sept. 16) that they have fully reopened. She declined to comment further.

In a press conference on Thursday, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said she had been in touch with the staff at the Tim Hortons.

“They are all traumatized, as you would expect, and it will take some time to reopen,” she said adding that it is the scene of a police investigation. “I’ve indicated 24/7 support is available, should they need it and I know Tim Hortons will also be providing those staff members the supports that they need.”

The mayor joined Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services and Brampton Fire and Emergency Services to lay flowers at the Tim Hortons on Wednesday.

“It was very clear from the growing memorial of flowers and messages, just how many lives he touched, and how shaken our community is over these unprovoked and devastating attacks,” Crombie said.

The shooting rampage also claimed the life of Shakeel Ashraf, 38, a father of two and owner of MK Auto Repairs in Milton. He was shot and killed at his place of business near Bronte Rd. S. and Main St. by the same shooter.

A second person gunned down by the suspect at a Milton auto repair shop on Monday is on life support and not expected to survive.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which probes incidents between police and civilians in which serious injury or death has resulted, said there was an exchange of gunfire in Hamilton where the suspect was caught and he was killed.