Updated Nov. 23 at 11:20 a.m.
Const. Michelle Coulombe, media relations officer with the Nipissing West OPP, said the procession should reach Greater Sudbury at around 4 p.m. this afternoon.
Local officers plan to stand on the Estaire Road overpass on Highway 69. The northbound lanes will also likely be closed temporarily as the procession passes through.
Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, the OPP's highway safety division media relations officer, posted a live video to the OPP's Facebook page at around 11 a.m., saying he will be following the procession on its journey from Toronto to Manitoulin Island, and providing live updates. He said people are welcome to view the procession in their area if they can find a safe place to do so.
Original story:
A police escort will accompany Const. Marc Hovingh to Manitoulin Island from Toronto, starting at noon today.
Information released by the Special Investigations Unit indicates that on Nov. 19, two OPP officers visited a property on Hindman Trail in Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island after the property owner reported the presence of an unwanted man.
Soon after arriving, officers located the man — who was inside a trailer — and there was "an interaction." At around 11 a.m., there was an exchange of gunfire between Const. Marc Hovingh and the man, resulting in both men being shot. They were transported to hospital where both succumbed to their injuries.
Three investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case, said the SIU. Post-mortem examinations were conducted in Toronto. The other officer on scene did not sustain any injuries.
On Nov. 21, the man was identified as 60-year-old Gary Brohman of Gore Bay.
On Sunday, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique tweeted that Hovingh would be brought home with a complete escort, leaving Toronto at noon today.
“The escort accompanying Provincial Constable Marc Hovingh will return to Manitoulin Island from Toronto at 12 noon Mon, Nov 23. For anyone wishing to pay their respects, live updates will be provided on @OPP_News,” the tweet reads.
The route the escort will take is Highway 400/Highway 69 to Highway 17 and then Highway 6 to the Island. Hovingh, 52, was a 28-year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police. He is the father of four children. Meanwhile, many Island communities, as well as the City of Greater Sudbury, lowered their flags to half-staff out of respect for the fallen officer.
Gore Bay Mayor Dan Osborne told the Canadian Press the loss is “devastating.” Hovingh’s death has echoed across the entire province, with many police services paying tribute and lowering their own flags to half staff.
Premier Doug Ford said in a tweet he’s deeply saddened by the death, and that the flags at Queen’s Park are being lowered out of respect for Hovingh and his family. “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 community safe,” Ford said in his tweet.
My statement on the shooting in Manitoulin Island pic.twitter.com/LHryeyZoxv
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 19, 2020
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha said on social media the tight-knit community of Manitoulin Island is devastated at the tragic loss. “On Manitoulin Island, OPP officers are our friends and our neighbours,” Mantha said in a Facebook post. “On duty and off, they play an active role in Manitoulin life. We will be forever changed by the devastating loss of one of our own.
“Manitoulin is also strong, and I have faith that we will come together to grieve and to heal, to support Const. Hovingh’s loved ones, and to remember a hero gone too soon.”
Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger expressed his sadness of the fatal shooting through Twitter: “I am truly saddened by the tragic events that took place yesterday in Gore Bay and on behalf of Council and @GreaterSudbury I extend our deepest condolences to PC Hovingh's family.”
