The province's police watchdog is investigating a shooting on Manitoulin island Thursday afternoon that left a man and an Ontario Provincial Police officer dead.
In a video posted on Twitter, the Special Investigations Unit spokesperson Monica Hudon said an individual contacted the OPP around 12:30 p.m. about an unwanted person on a property on Gore Bay.
When they arrived, the OPP "encountered the man, and there was an interaction."
Hudon said one officer was shot during the incident and was pronounced dead.
The man was also shot and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Hudon said three investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.
The other officer who responded to the call with Hovingh was not physically injured, the OPP said.
Speaking to CP24 on Thursday evening, OPP Sgt. Carlo Berardi said Hovingh had been on the island for a long time and was well-known in the community.
"We have little incidents that occur every once in a while, but this was certainly unexpected," Berardi said.
Gore Bay Mayor Dan Osborne said the shooting happened in a wooded area with hunting properties.
"We are right in the middle of our deer (hunting season) right now. Everyone (in that area) has a gun," Osborne said in an interview with CP24.
While residents in their community are spread out over a large area, the mayor said everyone knows each other.
"It's a tragic event that has happened in the area. Our hearts go out to the family and everyone involved," Osborne said.
In a statement, Premier Doug Ford said his government has requested that the flags at Queen's Park be lowered to half-mast out of respect.
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Provincial Constable Marc Hovingh who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Manitoulin Island," Ford 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."
https://www.cp24.com/news/siu-investiga ... -1.5196432
OPP officer killed in line of duty on Manitoulin Island
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SIU investigates shooting on Manitoulin Island that left man, OPP officer dead
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Civilian, veteran police officer dead in Manitoulin Island shooting
A 28-year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police, Const. Marc Hovingh, and a civilian have died in a shooting on Manitoulin Island, the police force confirmed Thursday.
The incident happened Thursday afternoon, when officers were called to a property in a sparsely populated corner of Manitoulin Island, northeast of the tiny town of Gore Bay.
“There are two lookouts where you can view the town of Gore Bay over cliffs. It’s a spot where tourists head out to get a really good birds eye view of the island,” said Bill Concannon, a resident of Gore Bay who runs a Facebook group for residents of the island.
“This time of year, there wouldn’t be very much traffic going up and down that road at all,” he said.
It made the sight of police vehicles flooding to the area, first one or two, then as many as 10, according to different neighbours’ reports, all the more unnerving.
“(Major crime) is the farthest thing from our minds,” Concannon said of the community.
Hovingh, 53, leaves behind a wife and four children, according to the Ontario Provincial Police Association.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Provincial Constable Hovingh’s family and colleagues at this difficult time,” said OPPA President Rob Jamieson in a statement Thursday.
According to the OPP, officers with the Little Current Detachment went to a property near Gore Bay in response to a complaint of an “unwanted man.”
That’s where Hovingh was shot and killed, and the man on the property was also shot. The civilian was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police have not released his name, citing the need to first contact the next of kin.
The Special Investigations Unit, an independent body which deals with deaths and other serious incidents involving police, is investigating.
On Thursday evening, tributes to Hovingh began to pour in on a community Facebook page. Neighbours who didn’t know him directly said they knew him to be well-regarded in the community.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique tweeted Thursday that Marc Hovingh had served with the OPP for 28 years.
Manitoulin Island, located on Lake Huron’s north end near Sudbury, is home to about 14,000 people. A new OPP detachment in Little Current, on the east side of the island, was opened in August.
Killings of on duty police officers are rare, but happen every year in Canada. According to the Police and Peace Officers Memorial, a non-profit group that holds memorial services for police who died on duty, 3 to 5 officers die every year in Canada.
In July, off-duty Abbotsford police officer Allan Young died in Nelson, B.C., after attempting to intervene in an altercation. Const. Heidi Stevenson was killed on duty during the Nova Scotia mass shooting event on April 19.
https://www.wellandtribune.ca/ts/news/c ... oting.html
The incident happened Thursday afternoon, when officers were called to a property in a sparsely populated corner of Manitoulin Island, northeast of the tiny town of Gore Bay.
“There are two lookouts where you can view the town of Gore Bay over cliffs. It’s a spot where tourists head out to get a really good birds eye view of the island,” said Bill Concannon, a resident of Gore Bay who runs a Facebook group for residents of the island.
“This time of year, there wouldn’t be very much traffic going up and down that road at all,” he said.
It made the sight of police vehicles flooding to the area, first one or two, then as many as 10, according to different neighbours’ reports, all the more unnerving.
“(Major crime) is the farthest thing from our minds,” Concannon said of the community.
Hovingh, 53, leaves behind a wife and four children, according to the Ontario Provincial Police Association.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Provincial Constable Hovingh’s family and colleagues at this difficult time,” said OPPA President Rob Jamieson in a statement Thursday.
According to the OPP, officers with the Little Current Detachment went to a property near Gore Bay in response to a complaint of an “unwanted man.”
That’s where Hovingh was shot and killed, and the man on the property was also shot. The civilian was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police have not released his name, citing the need to first contact the next of kin.
The Special Investigations Unit, an independent body which deals with deaths and other serious incidents involving police, is investigating.
On Thursday evening, tributes to Hovingh began to pour in on a community Facebook page. Neighbours who didn’t know him directly said they knew him to be well-regarded in the community.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique tweeted Thursday that Marc Hovingh had served with the OPP for 28 years.
Manitoulin Island, located on Lake Huron’s north end near Sudbury, is home to about 14,000 people. A new OPP detachment in Little Current, on the east side of the island, was opened in August.
Killings of on duty police officers are rare, but happen every year in Canada. According to the Police and Peace Officers Memorial, a non-profit group that holds memorial services for police who died on duty, 3 to 5 officers die every year in Canada.
In July, off-duty Abbotsford police officer Allan Young died in Nelson, B.C., after attempting to intervene in an altercation. Const. Heidi Stevenson was killed on duty during the Nova Scotia mass shooting event on April 19.
https://www.wellandtribune.ca/ts/news/c ... oting.html
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OPP officer and civilian dead after shooting on Manitoulin Island
A long-time provincial police officer was killed Thursday in a shooting that also left a civilian dead in the tight-knit community of Manitoulin Island in Ontario’s Georgian Bay.
The officer has been identified as Const. Marc Hovingh, who had been a member of the service for 28 years and worked out of the Little Current detachment.
The officer had been called to investigate an “unwanted man” on a property in Gore Bay, Ont., early Thursday afternoon, the province’s police watchdog said.
The Special Investigations Unit said Hovingh was shot and killed after he arrived.
“Our hearts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this tragic time,” OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said in a tweet.
The man on the property was also shot, and died after being taken to hospital, the SIU said.
There’s no word on his identity.
Initial reports suggested a second officer was shot as well, but officials later said that’s not the case.
The news quickly made its way through the small island community, said Dan Osborne, mayor of Gore Bay, one of several towns on the island.
He said he heard the sirens blaring early in the afternoon.
“We’re a large island, but we are small in numbers,” he said. “Everybody knows everyone, and it’s pretty devastating.”
Manitoulin, which is southwest of Sudbury, Ont., is the largest freshwater island in the world, and a popular vacation spot in the summer.
Michael Mantha, who represents Manitoulin Island in the provincial legislature, said OPP officers are an important part of the community.
“On Manitoulin Island, OPP officers are our friends and our neighbours. On duty and off, they play an active role in Manitoulin life,” he said. “We will be forever changed by the devastating loss of one of our own.”
Premier Doug Ford was also among those offering condolences for Hovingh in the hours after the incident.
“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,” he said in a written statement, adding that the flags outside Queens Park would be lowered in Hovingh’s honour.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the NDP is also grieving.
“The sorrow of an officer fallen will be felt province-wide,” she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 19, 2020.
Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
https://www.todayville.com/opp-officer- ... in-island/
The officer has been identified as Const. Marc Hovingh, who had been a member of the service for 28 years and worked out of the Little Current detachment.
The officer had been called to investigate an “unwanted man” on a property in Gore Bay, Ont., early Thursday afternoon, the province’s police watchdog said.
The Special Investigations Unit said Hovingh was shot and killed after he arrived.
“Our hearts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this tragic time,” OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said in a tweet.
The man on the property was also shot, and died after being taken to hospital, the SIU said.
There’s no word on his identity.
Initial reports suggested a second officer was shot as well, but officials later said that’s not the case.
The news quickly made its way through the small island community, said Dan Osborne, mayor of Gore Bay, one of several towns on the island.
He said he heard the sirens blaring early in the afternoon.
“We’re a large island, but we are small in numbers,” he said. “Everybody knows everyone, and it’s pretty devastating.”
Manitoulin, which is southwest of Sudbury, Ont., is the largest freshwater island in the world, and a popular vacation spot in the summer.
Michael Mantha, who represents Manitoulin Island in the provincial legislature, said OPP officers are an important part of the community.
“On Manitoulin Island, OPP officers are our friends and our neighbours. On duty and off, they play an active role in Manitoulin life,” he said. “We will be forever changed by the devastating loss of one of our own.”
Premier Doug Ford was also among those offering condolences for Hovingh in the hours after the incident.
“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,” he said in a written statement, adding that the flags outside Queens Park would be lowered in Hovingh’s honour.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the NDP is also grieving.
“The sorrow of an officer fallen will be felt province-wide,” she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 19, 2020.
Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
https://www.todayville.com/opp-officer- ... in-island/
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OPP Officer Succumbs to Injuries After Fatal Shooting
(GORE BAY, ON) – Shortly after 11:00 a.m. on November 19, 2020, two members from the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a follow-up investigation related to a property dispute.
There was an interaction between a person at the scene and an officer resulting in one officer being fatally shot.
The person at the scene has also died as a result of the interaction. This person is not being identified at this time until their identity can be confirmed and next of kin notifications are complete.
The OPP is reportin g that 52-year-old Provincial Constable (PC) Marc HOVINGH, posted at the Manitoulin Detachment, died as a result of his injuries. No other police officers were injured in this incident.
Commissioner Carrique announced that, “PC Marc HOVINGH, a 28-year veteran of the OPP has succumbed to his injuries while bravely serving in the line of duty. Our hearts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this tragic time”.
Further information regarding funeral arrangements for Provincial Constable Marc HOVINGH will be forthcoming at a later time.
An investigation is being conducted by the Province’s Special Investigation Unit. Any further information regarding this investigation must be directed to the Special Investigation Unit who has invoked their mandate.
http://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2020/11/ ... -shooting/
There was an interaction between a person at the scene and an officer resulting in one officer being fatally shot.
The person at the scene has also died as a result of the interaction. This person is not being identified at this time until their identity can be confirmed and next of kin notifications are complete.
The OPP is reportin g that 52-year-old Provincial Constable (PC) Marc HOVINGH, posted at the Manitoulin Detachment, died as a result of his injuries. No other police officers were injured in this incident.
Commissioner Carrique announced that, “PC Marc HOVINGH, a 28-year veteran of the OPP has succumbed to his injuries while bravely serving in the line of duty. Our hearts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this tragic time”.
Further information regarding funeral arrangements for Provincial Constable Marc HOVINGH will be forthcoming at a later time.
An investigation is being conducted by the Province’s Special Investigation Unit. Any further information regarding this investigation must be directed to the Special Investigation Unit who has invoked their mandate.
http://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2020/11/ ... -shooting/
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Civilian, veteran police officer dead in Manitoulin Island shooting
A 28-year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police, Const. Marc Hovingh, and a civilian have died in a shooting on Manitoulin Island, the police force confirmed Thursday.
The incident happened Thursday afternoon, when officers were called to a property in a sparsely populated corner of Manitoulin Island, northeast of the tiny town of Gore Bay.
“There are two lookouts where you can view the town of Gore Bay over cliffs. It’s a spot where tourists head out to get a really good birds eye view of the island,” said Bill Concannon, a resident of Gore Bay who runs a Facebook group for residents of the island.
“This time of year, there wouldn’t be very much traffic going up and down that road at all,” he said.
It made the sight of police vehicles flooding to the area, first one or two, then as many as 10, according to different neighbours’ reports, all the more unnerving.
“(Major crime) is the farthest thing from our minds,” Concannon said of the community.
Hovingh, 53, leaves behind a wife and four children, according to the Ontario Provincial Police Association.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Provincial Constable Hovingh’s family and colleagues at this difficult time,” said OPPA President Rob Jamieson in a statement Thursday.
According to the OPP, officers with the Little Current Detachment went to a property near Gore Bay in response to a complaint of an “unwanted man.”
That’s where Hovingh was shot and killed, and the man on the property was also shot. The civilian was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police have not released his name, citing the need to first contact the next of kin.
The Special Investigations Unit, an independent body which deals with deaths and other serious incidents involving police, is investigating.
On Thursday evening, tributes to Hovingh began to pour in on a community Facebook page. Neighbours who didn’t know him directly said they knew him to be well-regarded in the community.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique tweeted Thursday that Marc Hovingh had served with the OPP for 28 years.
Manitoulin Island, located on Lake Huron’s north end near Sudbury, is home to about 14,000 people. A new OPP detachment in Little Current, on the east side of the island, was opened in August.
Killings of on duty police officers are rare, but happen every year in Canada. According to the Police and Peace Officers Memorial, a non-profit group that holds memorial services for police who died on duty, 3 to 5 officers die every year in Canada.
In July, off-duty Abbotsford police officer Allan Young died in Nelson, B.C., after attempting to intervene in an altercation. Const. Heidi Stevenson was killed on duty during the Nova Scotia mass shooting event on April 19.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/202 ... oting.html
The incident happened Thursday afternoon, when officers were called to a property in a sparsely populated corner of Manitoulin Island, northeast of the tiny town of Gore Bay.
“There are two lookouts where you can view the town of Gore Bay over cliffs. It’s a spot where tourists head out to get a really good birds eye view of the island,” said Bill Concannon, a resident of Gore Bay who runs a Facebook group for residents of the island.
“This time of year, there wouldn’t be very much traffic going up and down that road at all,” he said.
It made the sight of police vehicles flooding to the area, first one or two, then as many as 10, according to different neighbours’ reports, all the more unnerving.
“(Major crime) is the farthest thing from our minds,” Concannon said of the community.
Hovingh, 53, leaves behind a wife and four children, according to the Ontario Provincial Police Association.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Provincial Constable Hovingh’s family and colleagues at this difficult time,” said OPPA President Rob Jamieson in a statement Thursday.
According to the OPP, officers with the Little Current Detachment went to a property near Gore Bay in response to a complaint of an “unwanted man.”
That’s where Hovingh was shot and killed, and the man on the property was also shot. The civilian was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police have not released his name, citing the need to first contact the next of kin.
The Special Investigations Unit, an independent body which deals with deaths and other serious incidents involving police, is investigating.
On Thursday evening, tributes to Hovingh began to pour in on a community Facebook page. Neighbours who didn’t know him directly said they knew him to be well-regarded in the community.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique tweeted Thursday that Marc Hovingh had served with the OPP for 28 years.
Manitoulin Island, located on Lake Huron’s north end near Sudbury, is home to about 14,000 people. A new OPP detachment in Little Current, on the east side of the island, was opened in August.
Killings of on duty police officers are rare, but happen every year in Canada. According to the Police and Peace Officers Memorial, a non-profit group that holds memorial services for police who died on duty, 3 to 5 officers die every year in Canada.
In July, off-duty Abbotsford police officer Allan Young died in Nelson, B.C., after attempting to intervene in an altercation. Const. Heidi Stevenson was killed on duty during the Nova Scotia mass shooting event on April 19.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/202 ... oting.html
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Manitoulin man killed along with OPP officer had distrust of police, relatives say
No funeral to be held for 60-year-old Gary Brohman
From his apartment, Calvin Blue heard the sirens of police cars come screaming through Gore Bay last Thursday.
Then he read on Facebook that there was a serious incident up on the East Bluff, a wooded area just outside of the small Manitoulin Island town.
"Well, when they said the East Bluff, the first thing that came to mind, yeah," says the 76-year-old.
"Probably Gary."
His nephew Gary Brohman and Ontario Provincial Police Constable Marc Hovingh shot at each other that morning in a trailer where Brohman had been living.
Both men later died in hospital.
Police say Hovingh and another officer went to the trailer to follow up on a "property dispute", but, other than that, few details have been released, as the province's Special Investigations Unit has taken over the case.
Blue says Brohman had just moved to the trailer in the past few weeks. Before that they lived for several years in the same apartment building in Gore Bay.
The 76-year-old says his nephew never invited him over, but would never hesitate to help him run errands or fix problems with his computer.
"Anything at all, he would reach out and help, but other than that you never seen him," says Blue.
He says he heard complaints from other tenants of loud noises coming from Brohman's apartment. The sounds of shouting and the punching of walls.
Blue says he had recently been concerned about how much his nephew had been drinking and suggested he go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, which Blue himself has attended in the past.
"But he never talked about anything, never seeked any help. He was going to do it himself. No other way. He didn't want help," Blue says.
"He was quite withdrawn and his way was the only way. He was quite rigid in his thinking."
He says Brohman was born in Kitchener and had a "rough childhood" before doing a short stint in the Canadian military.
Brohman later married, had a daughter, and then three grandchildren, one of whom was killed in a car crash a few years ago.
Blue says he never liked to talk about any of it, but did sometimes talk about his distrust of police officers and his disgust at reports of police brutality and abuses of power.
He says he has lots of questions he is hoping investigators can answer about his nephew's death.
Blue says Brohman never wanted a funeral, so the family won't be holding one.
A private memorial service for Constable Hovingh will be held Saturday afternoon on Manitoulin Island and livestreamed for those who can't attend in person.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ... -1.5815697
From his apartment, Calvin Blue heard the sirens of police cars come screaming through Gore Bay last Thursday.
Then he read on Facebook that there was a serious incident up on the East Bluff, a wooded area just outside of the small Manitoulin Island town.
"Well, when they said the East Bluff, the first thing that came to mind, yeah," says the 76-year-old.
"Probably Gary."
His nephew Gary Brohman and Ontario Provincial Police Constable Marc Hovingh shot at each other that morning in a trailer where Brohman had been living.
Both men later died in hospital.
Police say Hovingh and another officer went to the trailer to follow up on a "property dispute", but, other than that, few details have been released, as the province's Special Investigations Unit has taken over the case.
Blue says Brohman had just moved to the trailer in the past few weeks. Before that they lived for several years in the same apartment building in Gore Bay.
The 76-year-old says his nephew never invited him over, but would never hesitate to help him run errands or fix problems with his computer.
"Anything at all, he would reach out and help, but other than that you never seen him," says Blue.
He says he heard complaints from other tenants of loud noises coming from Brohman's apartment. The sounds of shouting and the punching of walls.
Blue says he had recently been concerned about how much his nephew had been drinking and suggested he go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, which Blue himself has attended in the past.
"But he never talked about anything, never seeked any help. He was going to do it himself. No other way. He didn't want help," Blue says.
"He was quite withdrawn and his way was the only way. He was quite rigid in his thinking."
He says Brohman was born in Kitchener and had a "rough childhood" before doing a short stint in the Canadian military.
Brohman later married, had a daughter, and then three grandchildren, one of whom was killed in a car crash a few years ago.
Blue says he never liked to talk about any of it, but did sometimes talk about his distrust of police officers and his disgust at reports of police brutality and abuses of power.
He says he has lots of questions he is hoping investigators can answer about his nephew's death.
Blue says Brohman never wanted a funeral, so the family won't be holding one.
A private memorial service for Constable Hovingh will be held Saturday afternoon on Manitoulin Island and livestreamed for those who can't attend in person.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ... -1.5815697
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OPP officer killed in line of duty on Manitoulin Island
Heavy police presence reported earlier near town of Gore Bay
An officer with the Ontario Provincial Police was killed in the line of duty on Thursday on Manitoulin Island.
A civilian is also dead, according to Ontario's police watchdog.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says OPP officers were sent to investigate an unwanted man on a property in Gore Bay, a community on the north-east coast of the island. The two officers, from the Manitoulin detachment, were following up on a property dispute investigation, according to the OPP.
When they arrived, an officer was shot and killed, the SIU said. He has been identified as 52-year-old Const. Marc Hovingh, a 28-year veteran of the force. He was married with four children.
Police say that the man on the property was also shot, and died after being taken to hospital. He will not be identified until all next of kin have been notified, said the OPP.
The OPP had earlier in the day reported a heavy police presence near Gore Bay in the area of Scotland Road, Hindman Trail and 10th Road on Manitoulin Island. Gore Bay is a town of fewer than 900 people on the north-eastern coast of Manitoulin Island and one of only two incorporated municipalities. The island sits in Lake Huron and is the largest freshwater island in the world.
"As big as we are, we are very small," said Mayor Dan Osborne, who knew Hovingh personally. "The OPP play a big part in our community."
"It's just devastating for the whole community and I cannot imagine what his family will be going through. I just hope that everybody has them in their prayers tonight and going forward," said Osborne, with emotion.
Osborne said there is no substance to rumours circulating on social media that Hovingh died in a hunting accident.
Initial reports also suggested a second officer had been shot, but officials say that's not the case.
Scott Mills, spokesperson for the Ontario Provincial Police Association, told CBC News that he and his members were extremely saddened to hear of Hovingh's sudden death.
"OPP officers in rural areas are very highly respected in their community, both on and off duty. They are the pillar of the community, it's a hero for the community that's fallen when something tragic like this happens."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a statement he was "deeply saddened" by the news. The provincial government lowered flags to half mast.
'He was always laughing'
Hours after he was killed, mourners gathered — physically distanced — at the Mindemoya Missionary Church, which Hovingh attended for 20 years.
Ben Quackenbush said the first thing people would notice about Hovingh was his size, but he "never used that to be intimidating. He was always a gentle giant and a big teddy bear."
Quackenbush says Hovingh was a model police officer and Christian.
Hovingh would entertain kids at the church on Sundays and loved to take people out on his boat, he added
"Joyful, I think when I think of Marc. He was always smiling and he was always laughing."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ... -1.5808340
An officer with the Ontario Provincial Police was killed in the line of duty on Thursday on Manitoulin Island.
A civilian is also dead, according to Ontario's police watchdog.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says OPP officers were sent to investigate an unwanted man on a property in Gore Bay, a community on the north-east coast of the island. The two officers, from the Manitoulin detachment, were following up on a property dispute investigation, according to the OPP.
When they arrived, an officer was shot and killed, the SIU said. He has been identified as 52-year-old Const. Marc Hovingh, a 28-year veteran of the force. He was married with four children.
Police say that the man on the property was also shot, and died after being taken to hospital. He will not be identified until all next of kin have been notified, said the OPP.
The OPP had earlier in the day reported a heavy police presence near Gore Bay in the area of Scotland Road, Hindman Trail and 10th Road on Manitoulin Island. Gore Bay is a town of fewer than 900 people on the north-eastern coast of Manitoulin Island and one of only two incorporated municipalities. The island sits in Lake Huron and is the largest freshwater island in the world.
"As big as we are, we are very small," said Mayor Dan Osborne, who knew Hovingh personally. "The OPP play a big part in our community."
"It's just devastating for the whole community and I cannot imagine what his family will be going through. I just hope that everybody has them in their prayers tonight and going forward," said Osborne, with emotion.
Osborne said there is no substance to rumours circulating on social media that Hovingh died in a hunting accident.
Initial reports also suggested a second officer had been shot, but officials say that's not the case.
Scott Mills, spokesperson for the Ontario Provincial Police Association, told CBC News that he and his members were extremely saddened to hear of Hovingh's sudden death.
"OPP officers in rural areas are very highly respected in their community, both on and off duty. They are the pillar of the community, it's a hero for the community that's fallen when something tragic like this happens."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a statement he was "deeply saddened" by the news. The provincial government lowered flags to half mast.
'He was always laughing'
Hours after he was killed, mourners gathered — physically distanced — at the Mindemoya Missionary Church, which Hovingh attended for 20 years.
Ben Quackenbush said the first thing people would notice about Hovingh was his size, but he "never used that to be intimidating. He was always a gentle giant and a big teddy bear."
Quackenbush says Hovingh was a model police officer and Christian.
Hovingh would entertain kids at the church on Sundays and loved to take people out on his boat, he added
"Joyful, I think when I think of Marc. He was always smiling and he was always laughing."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ... -1.5808340
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Const. Marc Hovingh, OPP officer shot in line of duty, remembered as kind, gentle man
Friends and relatives of an Ontario Provincial Police officer killed in the line of duty last week remembered him Saturday as a “man of kindness, gentleness and love,” who doted on animals and would drop everything to help someone in need.
Const. Marc Hovingh also had a unique sense of humour that could spark joy and laughter even in the hardest times, his brother Hans Hovingh said during a small service held in a high school in M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island.
“He could laugh with you, he could laugh at you and he could laugh at himself,” Hans Hovingh said.
The officer could charm his way out of a dispute with a flash of his “trademark gap-toothed grin,” a shrug of his shoulders and a laugh, said another brother, Albert Hovingh.
“When he did this there’s no way you could stay angry with him,” Albert Hovingh said. “I suspect that’s why he got away with a lot of stuff, not only as a child but also later in life.”
Marc Hovingh’s wife, Lianne Hovingh, described her late husband as her best friend, and recalled hearing how he would sometimes hold off on handing out tickets to drivers who he knew were going through difficult times.
She thanked the public for the “ocean of love and prayers” she and their four children — Laura, Nathan, Elena and Sara — have received since her husband’s death.
Masked mourners, many of them in police uniform, gathered Saturday to pay tribute to the fallen officer, who died on Nov. 19 in a shooting that also left a civilian dead in the island community of Gore Bay, Ont.
Hovingh, a 28-year veteran of the force, was one of the officers who responded to a call regarding an “unwanted man” on a property.
According to the Special Investigations Unit — Ontario’s police watchdog — Hovingh and civilian Gary Brohman died in hospital after an exchange of gunfire.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was among a handful of politicians and dignitaries who attended the service. The Ontario Provincial Police Association said the funeral was otherwise private, with attendance available via livestream. At one point, more than 1,100 viewers tuned in to the ceremony.
An online fundraiser for Hovingh’s family had also raised more than $100,000 by mid-afternoon Saturday, with some donations coming in during the funeral.
Provincial police Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the officer’s death has left him and others across the force with a “broken heart,” and praised Hovingh’s “courageous response” to the incident that ultimately claimed his life.
“How is it possible to be so sad but yet so proud at the same time?” he said during the service.
One of Hovingh’s colleagues and friends, Const. Marie Ford, described him as someone who cared deeply for his community and always rooted for the underdog, yet shunned the attention he received for his good deeds.
“He didn’t need to be promoted and he refused accolades,” she said in a tearful tribute.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7490191/cons ... h-funeral/
Const. Marc Hovingh also had a unique sense of humour that could spark joy and laughter even in the hardest times, his brother Hans Hovingh said during a small service held in a high school in M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island.
“He could laugh with you, he could laugh at you and he could laugh at himself,” Hans Hovingh said.
The officer could charm his way out of a dispute with a flash of his “trademark gap-toothed grin,” a shrug of his shoulders and a laugh, said another brother, Albert Hovingh.
“When he did this there’s no way you could stay angry with him,” Albert Hovingh said. “I suspect that’s why he got away with a lot of stuff, not only as a child but also later in life.”
Marc Hovingh’s wife, Lianne Hovingh, described her late husband as her best friend, and recalled hearing how he would sometimes hold off on handing out tickets to drivers who he knew were going through difficult times.
She thanked the public for the “ocean of love and prayers” she and their four children — Laura, Nathan, Elena and Sara — have received since her husband’s death.
Masked mourners, many of them in police uniform, gathered Saturday to pay tribute to the fallen officer, who died on Nov. 19 in a shooting that also left a civilian dead in the island community of Gore Bay, Ont.
Hovingh, a 28-year veteran of the force, was one of the officers who responded to a call regarding an “unwanted man” on a property.
According to the Special Investigations Unit — Ontario’s police watchdog — Hovingh and civilian Gary Brohman died in hospital after an exchange of gunfire.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was among a handful of politicians and dignitaries who attended the service. The Ontario Provincial Police Association said the funeral was otherwise private, with attendance available via livestream. At one point, more than 1,100 viewers tuned in to the ceremony.
An online fundraiser for Hovingh’s family had also raised more than $100,000 by mid-afternoon Saturday, with some donations coming in during the funeral.
Provincial police Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the officer’s death has left him and others across the force with a “broken heart,” and praised Hovingh’s “courageous response” to the incident that ultimately claimed his life.
“How is it possible to be so sad but yet so proud at the same time?” he said during the service.
One of Hovingh’s colleagues and friends, Const. Marie Ford, described him as someone who cared deeply for his community and always rooted for the underdog, yet shunned the attention he received for his good deeds.
“He didn’t need to be promoted and he refused accolades,” she said in a tearful tribute.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7490191/cons ... h-funeral/
Michael Jack, Administrator
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Michael Jack
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Man who killed Ontario officer had arsenal of guns and bombs, SIU probe finds
Ontario's police watchdog says the man involved in a fatal shootout with an officer last year had an arsenal of guns and homemade bombs.
The Special Investigations Unit says it has no grounds to lay any charges in the incident where an Ontario Provincial Police Officer and a 60-year-old man both died after exchanging gunfire in a trailer in the bush on Manitoulin Island.
The SIU says Const. Marc Hovingh had been called to the woods in Gore Bay, Ont., on Nov. 19, 2020 following a complaint of a man squatting on another person's property.
The report released Friday says Gary Brohman had bulldozed a path and had began living on the property in his trailer, claiming a legal right to the land.
The SIU says Hovingh had discovered a marijuana grow-op and was shot by Brohman during an exchange of gunfire.
The SIU says dozens of improvised explosives were found on the property, and numerous guns were found inside Brohman's trailer.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ... -1.5966915
The Special Investigations Unit says it has no grounds to lay any charges in the incident where an Ontario Provincial Police Officer and a 60-year-old man both died after exchanging gunfire in a trailer in the bush on Manitoulin Island.
The SIU says Const. Marc Hovingh had been called to the woods in Gore Bay, Ont., on Nov. 19, 2020 following a complaint of a man squatting on another person's property.
The report released Friday says Gary Brohman had bulldozed a path and had began living on the property in his trailer, claiming a legal right to the land.
The SIU says Hovingh had discovered a marijuana grow-op and was shot by Brohman during an exchange of gunfire.
The SIU says dozens of improvised explosives were found on the property, and numerous guns were found inside Brohman's trailer.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ... -1.5966915
Michael Jack, Administrator
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Michael Jack
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Manitoulin OPP officer killed in the line of duty remembered one year later
Fellow officers remember Const. Marc Hovingh as a hero
Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the Manitoulin Island shooting of Ontario Provincial Police Const. Marc Hovingh.
Hovingh, a 28-year veteran of the police force, was killed in the line of duty, while investigating a trespassing complaint in Gore Bay.
"The 19th of November 2020 will be entrenched in my life forever," said Greater Sudbury Police Service Det. Staff Sgt. Jerry Willmott.
Willmott was the case manager for the criminal investigation into Hovingh's death.
They discovered the suspect, 60-year-old Gary Brohman, had shot and killed Hovingh. No criminal charges were laid in the case because Brohman was killed in the shoot-out that ensued that day.
Willmott said Hovingh died a hero.
"The investigation revealed that the suspect had a mistrust of police and had accumulated a large amount of improvised explosives, pipe bombs, firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition," Willmott said.
"We won't really know what the suspect's mindset was at the time, and what he was planning on doing with this, but I can speak for every detective involved in this investigation that we truly believe Provincial Const. Marc Hovingh is a hero and sacrificed his own life to save many others."
Willmott added investigating the death of a fellow police officer was extremely difficult and emotional.
"The murder of a police officer in the line of duty has an impact on us all, regardless of the uniform we wear," he said.
"The police culture is a family, and the family is not limited to our own department. This was a devastating loss to Marc's family, the OPP, the First Nations police and the entire community."
Blue hearts will be adorned throughout the Greater Sudbury Police headquarters on Friday to remember him.
Remembered on Manitoulin Island
He was a parishioner at the Freshwater Community Church in Mindemoya, which was formerly known as the Mindemoya Missionary Church.
Janyn Towns, an elder with the church, said parishioners are encouraged to showcase blue hearts this week in Hovingh's memory. There will also be a time for prayer in his memory on Friday at noon.
"He was just a really huge, wonderful presence," Towns said. "We are still sad, but we are moving slowly forward, muddling our way along."
Towns said that in some ways, the small community has become closer since Hovingh's death.
"We've always been a place that looks out for each other, but I think maybe that's just a bit more heightened," she said.
The Manitoulin Island OPP detachment said its members will hold a private memorial in Hovingh's honour.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ... -1.6254138
Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the Manitoulin Island shooting of Ontario Provincial Police Const. Marc Hovingh.
Hovingh, a 28-year veteran of the police force, was killed in the line of duty, while investigating a trespassing complaint in Gore Bay.
"The 19th of November 2020 will be entrenched in my life forever," said Greater Sudbury Police Service Det. Staff Sgt. Jerry Willmott.
Willmott was the case manager for the criminal investigation into Hovingh's death.
They discovered the suspect, 60-year-old Gary Brohman, had shot and killed Hovingh. No criminal charges were laid in the case because Brohman was killed in the shoot-out that ensued that day.
Willmott said Hovingh died a hero.
"The investigation revealed that the suspect had a mistrust of police and had accumulated a large amount of improvised explosives, pipe bombs, firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition," Willmott said.
"We won't really know what the suspect's mindset was at the time, and what he was planning on doing with this, but I can speak for every detective involved in this investigation that we truly believe Provincial Const. Marc Hovingh is a hero and sacrificed his own life to save many others."
Willmott added investigating the death of a fellow police officer was extremely difficult and emotional.
"The murder of a police officer in the line of duty has an impact on us all, regardless of the uniform we wear," he said.
"The police culture is a family, and the family is not limited to our own department. This was a devastating loss to Marc's family, the OPP, the First Nations police and the entire community."
Blue hearts will be adorned throughout the Greater Sudbury Police headquarters on Friday to remember him.
Remembered on Manitoulin Island
He was a parishioner at the Freshwater Community Church in Mindemoya, which was formerly known as the Mindemoya Missionary Church.
Janyn Towns, an elder with the church, said parishioners are encouraged to showcase blue hearts this week in Hovingh's memory. There will also be a time for prayer in his memory on Friday at noon.
"He was just a really huge, wonderful presence," Towns said. "We are still sad, but we are moving slowly forward, muddling our way along."
Towns said that in some ways, the small community has become closer since Hovingh's death.
"We've always been a place that looks out for each other, but I think maybe that's just a bit more heightened," she said.
The Manitoulin Island OPP detachment said its members will hold a private memorial in Hovingh's honour.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ ... -1.6254138
Michael Jack, Administrator
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Michael Jack
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Today marks one-year anniversary of the death of OPP Const. Marc Hovingh
Greater Sudbury Police Service is marking the tragic one-year anniversary of Ontario Provincial Police Const. Marc Hovingh with a display of blue hearts.
Hovingh, a 28-year veteran of the police force, was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 19, 2020, while investigating a trespassing complaint in Gore Bay.
GSPS personnel displayed blue hearts around headquarters Friday to show their solidarity with the OPP and Hovingh’s family. Hovingh, who was 52 when he died, is survived by his wife Lianne and children Laura, Nathan, Elena and Sarah.
At his funeral Lianne had these words to say:
“Thank you for what feels like an ocean of prayers. We as a family have felt no anger with regards to Marc's death. … Whatever it is that anger and outrage is helping you accomplish, love will do a better job. I truly feel that if the world wants to see what love looks like right now, they just need to look at Manitoulin Island.”
His siblings said their brother was a man of kindness, of gentleness and of love.
“He was always ready to drop anything to help someone,” said his brother, Hans.
A video of the funeral can be found by clicking here.
The man who shot Hovingh, 60-year-old Gary Brohman, also died in the exchange of gunfire.
The shooting occurred in Brohman’s trailer at approximately 11 a.m. on Nov. 19, 2020. Hovingh had entered the trailer seeking to arrest Brohman for mischief after finding what was described as an illegal marijuana grow operation near the trailer.
Soon after the officer entered the trailer, Brohman picked up a pump-action shotgun and fired his weapon three times at Hovingh, striking him twice in the thigh. Hovingh, though struck, was able to draw his sidearm and return fire, shooting in Hovingh’s direction seven times.
Brohman suffered gunshot wounds to the left side of the head (which was necessarily fatal), right cheek, and lower left arm (which travelled into his left torso and lung).
The Special Investigations Unit’s report states Brohman had unlawfully set up a trailer on Hindman Trail on land owned by one of the civilian witnesses who used the land for hunting purposes.
Hovingh was cleared by the province’s Special Investigations Unit in the shooting.
https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/toda ... gh-4777604
Hovingh, a 28-year veteran of the police force, was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 19, 2020, while investigating a trespassing complaint in Gore Bay.
GSPS personnel displayed blue hearts around headquarters Friday to show their solidarity with the OPP and Hovingh’s family. Hovingh, who was 52 when he died, is survived by his wife Lianne and children Laura, Nathan, Elena and Sarah.
At his funeral Lianne had these words to say:
“Thank you for what feels like an ocean of prayers. We as a family have felt no anger with regards to Marc's death. … Whatever it is that anger and outrage is helping you accomplish, love will do a better job. I truly feel that if the world wants to see what love looks like right now, they just need to look at Manitoulin Island.”
His siblings said their brother was a man of kindness, of gentleness and of love.
“He was always ready to drop anything to help someone,” said his brother, Hans.
A video of the funeral can be found by clicking here.
The man who shot Hovingh, 60-year-old Gary Brohman, also died in the exchange of gunfire.
The shooting occurred in Brohman’s trailer at approximately 11 a.m. on Nov. 19, 2020. Hovingh had entered the trailer seeking to arrest Brohman for mischief after finding what was described as an illegal marijuana grow operation near the trailer.
Soon after the officer entered the trailer, Brohman picked up a pump-action shotgun and fired his weapon three times at Hovingh, striking him twice in the thigh. Hovingh, though struck, was able to draw his sidearm and return fire, shooting in Hovingh’s direction seven times.
Brohman suffered gunshot wounds to the left side of the head (which was necessarily fatal), right cheek, and lower left arm (which travelled into his left torso and lung).
The Special Investigations Unit’s report states Brohman had unlawfully set up a trailer on Hindman Trail on land owned by one of the civilian witnesses who used the land for hunting purposes.
Hovingh was cleared by the province’s Special Investigations Unit in the shooting.
https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/toda ... gh-4777604
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