Police say Vaughan father shot dead after he 'confronted' intruders as brother says family is 'shattered'

Abdul Aleem Farooqi was shot dead in a home invasion this week after he “confronted” intruders, police said, as the brother of the victim in a separate conference said Farooqi wanted his four kids to “live the Canadian dream.” Instead, he said the family mourning the 46-year-old’s senseless murder is mired in a “Canadian nightmare.”

“I can see it in all their children’s eyes,” Naeem Farooqi said at a news conference Wednesday, four days after his older brother was killed at his Kleinburg subdivision home .

“They’re shattered.”

York Regional Police earlier confirmed that Farooqi was shot while defending his family from three armed and masked intruders who busted into his home through the back door, but police didn’t say whether the children witnessed the shooting.

Naeem Farooqi confirmed Wednesday that they did and said his brother’s youngest daughter, a four-year-old girl, is particularly shaken.

“This is a four-year-old who I’ve always seen laughing, dancing, playing video games on my brother’s phone, being the centre of attention, just being a four-year-old, and now she’s just in so much pain,” he said.

The press conference was held by Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca, who addressed increasing incidents of violent crimes in his city and the GTA and the need for changes to the criminal justice system, specifically as it pertains to bail reform. Too often, he said, are offenders released on bail only to reoffend.

“I understand from media reports that Prime Minister Carney and his cabinet are in fact in the GTA as we speak, having cabinet discussions about all of the important priorities that the federal government has in front of them,” Del Duca told reporters, acknowledging Ottawa has a lot on its plate these days.

“But I have to say… if this item is not on their agenda, well, then they’ve badly lost the plot.”

Ford and provincial minister Stephen Lecce have made similar statements in recent days, and Naeem Farooqi said the family is thankful for their support and stands with them in a bid to effect change and keep other families from suffering like theirs.

“Three cowards came in and changed everything for our family that night, and I urge that everyone reflect on that,” he said.

“As Canadians, we understand that we need some change. We need to feel safe at home. When we lock our door, it’s our choice when we open it the next morning. It’s not someone else’s.”

York Regional Police were called to the home around 1 a.m. Sunday and found Farooqi, who was pronounced dead on the scene.

After previously describing it as a “targeted incident,” York Regional Police clarified in an earlier press conference on Wednesday that the home invasion was for monetary purposes.

Chief Jim MacSween said, when faced with a home invasion situation, “the best defence for most people is to comply” and stay as safe as possible until police can arrive.

Meanwhile, Ford said Tuesday that gun owners should be exempt if they use it to defend their family.

“I have a saying for the folks that are defending their homes: I’d rather be judged by 12 than carried by six,” the premier said, referencing a jury of 12 peers or the standard number of pallbearers at a funeral.

“And unfortunately, my friend Aleem is going to be carried by six because he’s trying to defend his family.”

MacSween said while “the premier can make his own statement and his own mind up about that,” the best practice is compliance.

“My brother died the way he lived,” Naeem Farooqi said Wednesday. “He was hero. He was a family man. He loved his children immensely.”

A devout man, he loved hockey and baseball, his community and was always willing to help those in need.

Farooqi’s obituary at Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Funeral Service identifies his wife as Mariam Farooqi, his parents as Mubaraka and Abdul Rashid Farooqi, brothers Adeel and Naeem, and sister Mansoora, all from the GTA.

“He lived as a devoted husband and loving father, leaving behind a legacy of care, warmth, and devotion for his four children,” his family wrote.

Naeem talked about the children Wednesday. He noted how excited his brother was that one of his sons had made the local AAA baseball team, and how he hoped his daughters would one day attend York University’s Schulich School of Business in Toronto.

The obituary also notes that Farooqi was a respected member of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim community, serving as a president within the Kleinburg region.

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