York Region Grappling With String of Murders and Home Invasions

Southern Ontario’s York region has been hit by a string of violent crimes in recent weeks that have claimed the lives of an 11-year-old girl and two men, one of whom was killed in front of his family over the long weekend.

York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween called the rise in violent crimes “concerning” during a Sept. 3 press conference, noting that the escalation of violence is unusual for the region, located just north of Toronto.

“We have experienced a particularly violent few weeks here in York region, which is concerning and of course disappointing to all of us,” he said. “The gravity of these incidents will not be overlooked and each case will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The “heinous” crimes currently under investigation include a fatal targeted shooting on Aug. 27 in Vaughan, a fatal home invasion in Vaughan on Aug. 31, and a suspicious house fire and home invasion, both on Sept. 1.

Here’s a look at the cases under investigation.

Fatal Arson

An arson at a home in Richmond Hill, Ont., is now being treated as a homicide after the death of an 11-year-old child in hospital, police say.

MacSween confirmed the fatality during a Sept. 3 press conference, days after a fire destroyed the home and sent five people to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Three adults and one 11-year-old girl, all from the same family, were rescued from the early morning house fire on Sept. 1, and an additional adult victim was found outside.

All five victims were transported to hospital where the child succumbed to her injuries the following day, police said. The adult victims, who remain in hospital, are thought to be aged 70, 59, 42, and mid-20s.

“The victims are still … in critical condition,” Insp. Paolo Fiore told reporters during the press briefing, but did not offer any additional details on their conditions.

An investigation of the blaze has determined the fire was deliberately set, but no arrests have been made at this time.

“It is very early on. It is a very active investigation,” Fiore said. “At this point in time, we do not have a suspect description.”

He said investigators are continuing to review video surveillance footage and are conducting a canvass of the area for witnesses.

Vaughan Home Invasion

Details about the fatal shooting at a Vaughan home that claimed the life of 46-year-old Abdul Aleem Farooqi have been limited since the early morning home invasion occurred on Aug. 31.

Police confirmed today that Farooqi died from gunshot wounds after his home was targeted for robbery by three unknown assailants.

“At this time, it is believed the house was specifically targeted for a robbery,” Fiore said. “We are still looking into any and all motives behind the robbery, but currently we believe this to be based on a monetary gain only.”

Fiore stressed that Farooqi was not “in any way involved in criminal activities.”

Three suspects entered the home through the rear entrance, one of them carrying a firearm. When Farooqi confronted them, he was shot, Fiore said, but did not offer any specific details about the shooting.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters during an unrelated Sept. 2 press conference that Farooqi was shot twice while attempting to protect one of his children.

Police described Farooqi as a “devout” Muslim and family man with four children ranging in age from four to 17.

The suspects in the home invasion were described as masked men dressed in dark clothing. The suspects were individually noted to be a six-foot-tall man with broad shoulders, a black man of an unspecified height with a slender build, and a man who was thought to be five-foot, nine inches.

Fiore said another home invasion was attempted just a kilometre away from the Farooqi home just an hour and 20 minutes later.

Officers were called to the area of Major Mackenzie Drive and Highway 27 for the report of a home invasion in progress, but the suspects fled the area in a dark-coloured sport utility vehicle after the home’s security alarm was triggered.

Three male suspects attempted to force their way into the home by smashing the glass of the front door, Det.-Sgt. Ryan Boulay said. There were two adults and two children in the home at the time.

Video footage of the suspects captured by a doorbell camera showed that the three men were wearing dark clothing and face coverings and at least one suspect was armed with a handgun.

Kidnapping and Home Invasion

Two adults and two teenagers have been arrested after the abduction of a woman in Markham and the shooting of a man during a related home invasion at her residence on Sept. 1.

Boulay said the incident began near McCowan Road and Highway 407 at approximately 8 a.m.

A woman was driving when she was intentionally struck by another vehicle, causing her to stop and exit her vehicle to check the damage. While she was doing this, another vehicle drove up next to her and forced her inside where she was restrained, he said.

Five suspects then went to the women’s home near McCowan Road and 14th Avenue just before 9 a.m. where a 54-year-old man was shot, he said.

“Uniformed officers arrived at the residence while the incident was still unfolding and ultimately arrested four suspects,” he said. “The fifth suspect managed to flee on foot away from the residence and has not been located.”

Police located the woman a short time later in Toronto with minor injuries and her vehicle was recovered nearby.

Shakir Bhatti, 21, and Parkaran Panglia, 20, are facing attempted murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping charges in connection with the incident, police said. A 16-year-old Caledon boy and a 17-year-old Toronto boy, who cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, face the same charges.

The four have also been charged with robbery with a firearm, disguise with intent, possession of restricted firearm knowingly not holding a licence, possession of a prohibited device knowing no authority and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Police said the 16-year-old was under a prior release order for unrelated offences at the time of the incident, and that Bhatti has been granted bail.

A fifth suspect who was able to get away is being described as a man between 18 and 25 years of age wearing dark clothing, a mask, and gloves.

Vaughan Shooting

Police are also investigating what they have described as a targeted shooting at a “commercial premise” in Vaughan, in the area of Langstaff Road and Jane Street.

The victim, 41-year-old Deuvane Donald Francis of Toronto, was pronounced dead at the scene on Aug. 27 as a result of gunshot wounds.

Police say a white, four-door 2016 Honda Civic was observed fleeing the scene on Aug. 26, at approximately 12:22 p.m. and has since been recovered by investigators.

Investigators are requesting assistance from the public in all of the incidents and are asking individuals with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.