Three men and two women were killed in a mass shooting at a condominium building in Vaughan, Ont., on Sunday, police say.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween said, emergency crews received a report of an active shooting call at around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday at a building on Jane Street, just north of Rutherford Road.
He said officers encountered a “horrific scene” with five deceased victims having been shot and killed in three separate units.
MacSween the force extends its “deepest condolences to the friends and families of the victims of this case.”
“We will do anything we can to assist, support the loved ones and anyone else impacted by this heartbreaking incident,” MacSween said.
MacSween said the office of the chief coroner will be confirming the identities of those killed in the shooting.
However, MacSween did confirm all of the victims were residents of the building. Three of the victims were members of the condominium board.
MacSween said a sixth victim — a 66-year-old woman — was seriously injured in the shooting, and remains in hospital.
Earlier on Monday, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 confirmed that Doreen Di Nino, wife of the union’s Canada president, had been injured in the shooting.
“We are grateful to learn that she has survived this horrific incident and is undergoing emergency surgery today,” said a statement issued Monday.
The union said its “condolences, thoughts and prayers” were with the families of “those who have lost their lives in this tragedy.”
The union said its executive board and members of ATU Local 113 wish Doreen a “full and quick recovery.”
“We stand in solidarity with President Di Nino and our thoughts and prayers remain with them and their family,” the statement read.
John Di Nino issued a statement Monday, saying it is a “very difficult time for my family.”
“I would ask that our privacy be respected,” he said. “I intend to make no further comment at this time.”
The chief said the investigation is ongoing, adding that “multiple” search warrants will be executed.
“The motive for the shooting remains part of this very complicated, very fluid investigation, which is still ongoing at this time.”
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, a spokesperson for Ontario’s police watchdog — the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) — said the gunman was a tenant in the building.
The SIU said he used a semi-automatic handgun.
According to the SIU, the victims were found in multiple units on different floors of the building.
The suspect was believed to have been shot dead by one officer in a hallway and there wasn’t an exchange of gunfire, the spokesperson said.
MacSween identified the suspected gunman as 73-year-old Francesco Villi.
According to MacSween, the officer involved in the encounter is a 24-year veteran of the force.
“He very likely saved lives by his actions last night,” MacSween said.
He said the encounter between the officer and the suspected gunman is now the focus of an investigation by the SIU.
-With files from Global News’ Ryan Rocca
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