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Police Say Vaughan Father Was Fatally Shot While Confronting Home Invaders in Targeted Robbery

Investigators call the break-in a planned theft motivated by monetary gain, with three masked suspects still at large.

Overview

  • York Regional Police confirmed Abdul Aleem Farooqi, 46, died by gunfire after confronting intruders who forced entry into his Vaughan home shortly before 1 a.m. on Aug. 31, as family members were present.
  • Detectives say the residence was specifically targeted for a robbery and stress there is no indication the victim was involved in criminal activity.
  • At least three male suspects wearing dark clothing and face coverings fled in a dark-coloured SUV, with descriptions including one about six feet tall with broad shoulders and another about 5'9".
  • Investigators say the suspects took three family phones, two of which were found discarded and seized as evidence, and they are asking neighbours to review doorbell and security-camera footage.
  • Police are examining a failed home invasion about 90 minutes later roughly a kilometre away for possible links, as vigils were held and political leaders called for justice-system changes while police urged residents not to engage intruders and to call 911.