GTA Muslims mourn loss of Shakeel Ashraf killed in Monday’s shooting rampage

GTA Muslims are mourning the killing of Shakeel Ashraf who was the second victim in Monday’s shooting rampage that also took the life of Toronto police Const. Andrew Hong.

“Always helping the community. He was always asking others if they needed some help, needed some money,” Amin Jan, a close friend of 38-year-old Ashraf, told Toronto’s CityNews. “If anyone needed any support from our Islamic Centre, our food bank. He was always willing to help.”

“Today, a Muslim man, Brother Shakeel, father of 2, and beloved community member from  Milton, ON was killed. May Allah have mercy on him and grant him the highest levels of Jannah,” wrote Islamic Relief Canada on their Facebook page. “Our sincere duas are with the family. Our hearts and prayers for recovery are with those who were injured. And sincere condolences to the family of the officer who was killed in the line of duty.”

According to family and friends, Ashraf ran a mechanic shop located on Bronte Street South in Milton. Some media sources are reporting that the suspect was an employee for a few weeks.

Toronto Const. Andrew Hong was in Mississauga for a training session and was on his lunch break when he was shot by the same suspect at close range, police said.

Two other people were also shot at Ashraf’s mechanic shop.

“One person is in critical condition, and one is in serious condition,” said Halton police chief Stephen Tanner.

The suspect fled the scene in Halton Region and was found in Hamilton.

The chase for the suspect ended when officers shot the man, who had been tracked down in a Hamilton cemetery. Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the incident.