An auto shop owner killed in a string of shootings this week was remembered as a doting father, a caring community member and a talented cricket player Wednesday as loved ones and strangers gathered to mourn him at his funeral.
Shakeel Ashraf was shot at his Milton, Ont., auto shop on Monday afternoon after a suspect shot and killed a Toronto police officer in Mississauga, Ont., earlier in the day.
Those who knew Ashraf, and some who did not, packed a Mississauga mosque on Wednesday afternoon to pay their respects to the 38-year-old.
“He was a very loving father, a very caring father, and he loved what he was doing. He loves cricket as well,” Muhammad Umar, one of Ashraf’s friends, said outside the mosque.
“It is a big loss for us, losing a friend, and for the community, losing a great human being.”
During the ceremony, people were asked to stand closely together to accommodate the crowd that filled into multiple rooms of the building after people lined up to get inside.
Imam Mohammed Riyadh, from a mosque in Milton, spoke briefly at the service at the family’s request. He said he knew Ashraf well and was with him the day of the murder.
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He remarked on the immense turnout — which he estimated as being in the hundreds — and the messages of condolences being shared online as good signs that speak to how exceptional Ashraf was.
“He must be a special man,” he said. “He had an amazing heart, a beautiful soul.”
Imam Nafis Bhayat of the Mississauga mosque said the people close to Ashraf testified that he was a very kind man. Before leading a prayer, he spoke to the shock the family must be feeling at their sudden and unexpected loss.
“It’s a moment of reflection. It’s very, very difficult,” he said. “His life was taken away very early.”
Ashraf’s skills as a cricket player and mechanic were common themes among those remembering him on Wednesday.
Faizal Niaz, one of Ashraf’s friends, said he was a highly skilled mechanic who had the trust of the community.
“He is a big shot. That’s why people know him very well,” he said of his close friend, whom he described as humble but charitable and generous with his money and talents.
Waseem Ahmed, president of Islamic Propagation Centre of Ontario, where the funeral was being held, said Ashraf was well respected and noted that the man’s family was devastated by what he called a “senseless act” of violence.
“They’re getting to absorb this, looking at the family member for the first time after the incident happened,” Ahmed said after Ashraf’s casket, draped in green fabric, arrived at the mosque.
He called on politicians to address root causes of violence in communities.
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie was at the funeral and said she wanted to grieve with the community.
“I am so devastated by the turn of events that started here in Mississauga,” she said, noting that Ashraf used to live in the city.
In brief remarks, Crombie said the tragedies “should not have happened,” and said more needs to be explained about the alleged killer’s motives. But she said Wednesday’s events should be focused on remembering Ashraf.
“Today we’re here to mourn a great man from our community and pay our respect.”
The suspect in Monday’s attacks died later that day after a shooting with police at a cemetery in Hamilton.
Niaz said the suspect is believed to have worked for Ashraf for a short period of time earlier this year but was let go.
Niaz said many who knew Ashraf had questions about how the suspect had been able to evade police after killing an officer in Mississauga before making it to the auto shop in Milton.
“Our friend died,” he said. “Who’s gonna (be) responsible?”
Const. Andrew Hong, a 22-year veteran of the Toronto police force, was shot dead in Mississauga earlier Monday in what police have called an ambush.
Toronto police spokeswoman Stephanie Sayer said a book of condolences for Hong will be available to the public in person and online. Sayer said planning for Hong’s funeral is currently underway and that the force is working closely with his family regarding their wishes.
Three of Hong’s colleagues attended Ashraf’s funeral in uniform.
Det. Mansoor Ahmad said he and his colleagues came to show support on behalf of the police force for the loss of Ashraf, whom he called “a great Canadian citizen.”
“We support the community, we are the community,” Ahmad said. “Today we are here to support the family.”
Ahmad said he didn’t know Ashraf well, but he played cricket against him and was impressed by his skills.
“He was not only a good player, he was a good human being,” he said.
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