A member of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and one civilian are dead following a shooting on Manitoulin Island.
On Thursday afternoon, the Special Investigations Unit said that the OPP responded to a call about an unwanted person at a property in Gore Bay around 12:30 PM. Once there, officers “encountered the man, and there was an interaction.”
One officer was pronounced dead at the scene, while the shooter was taken to hospital and later died of his injuries. Another officer was injured in the firefight.
The deceased has been identified as Constable Marc Hovingh, a 28-year veteran of the OPP.
In a statement, Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his sympathy for the law enforcement community.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Provincial Const. Marc Hovingh who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Manitoulin Island and hope for the speedy recovery of the other officer shot in this senseless act of violence,” he said.
“My thoughts are with all the brave men and women on the frontlines who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe.”
An investigation is still underway. Anyone who may have information about the incident is being asked to call investigators at 1-800-787-8529.
