Hong, 48, was one of three people fatally shot by a gunman in a shooting spree in the GTA on Sept. 12.
He was participating in a training exercise in Mississauga and was on a lunch break when he was shot at point-blank range in an unprovoked attack at a Tim Hortons. Investigators said they believe the suspect was “looking for a police officer.”
The gunman then crossed the street to another parking lot where he shot another person and stole his vehicle. He then went to an auto body shop in Milton where he shot three more. Shakeel Ashraf, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the third person fatally shot – 28-year-old international student Satwinder Singh – died in hospital several days later.
The gunman was eventually located at a cemetery in Hamilton, where he was fatally shot during an interaction with police.
Friends, colleagues and family remember Hong, a 22-year veteran of the force, as a “larger than life” character, a lovable practical joker who was kind and likeable to all who met him.
Hong is survived by his wife, two teenage children and his parents. His family released a statement after his death, but asked for privacy while they grieve. The funeral is open to family and their guests as well as members of the Toronto Police Service.
However, the public has been invited to watch the procession as Hong’s body is taken from the funeral home in Thornhill to the Toronto Convention Centre, where the funeral will be held at noon. There will also be a live broadcast of the ceremony. CP24 will have special live coverage of the procession and ceremony from 9am
Members of the public wishing to view the funeral procession will be able to do so from 9.25am. as it will head north on Yonge St., west on Hwy. 407, south on Hwy. 27, east on Steeles Avenue and south on Martin Grove Street.
The public will be able to view the procession from various overpasses on Highway 407. They include
Bathurst Street Dufferin Street Keele Street Jane Street Weston Road Pine Valley Drive Islington Avenue
Some road closures will also be in place in order for the procession and funeral to take place. Are the folowing:
Martin Grove Road – full closure from Dixon Road to Belfield Road at 6.30am Martin Grove Road – full closure from Dixon Road to Bethridge Boulevard at 7:30am. Belfield Road – full closure at 7.30am. and limited or controlled access from Hwy. 27 to Martin Grove Road and Kipling Avenue to Martin Grove Road, no one will cross Martin Grove Road from 7:30 a.m. until the end of the ceremony Hwy 409 – eastbound and westbound ramps will be closed at 6:30am. towards Martin Grove Street The Hwy 401 – westbound ramp will be closed at 6:30am. towards Martin Grove Street
All road closures are expected to end once the funeral procession has finished at around 1pm
Temporary TTC route detours will also be in place between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. The 45B bus to Kipling Station and the 46 Martin Grove bus will be affected.
Books of condolence were made available to the public for signature at Toronto Traffic Services and Police Headquarters until Tuesday. Visitation was also held Tuesday at Thornhill Funeral Home.
