Ontario father, 46, shot dead during violent home invasion: 'Unimaginable nightmare'

A 46-year-old father was killed during a home invasion in Vaughan and “if the information I received about this incident is true, Canada, your blood will (and should) go beyond boiling when it gets released,” posted Ron Chhinzer, 2025 Oakville East federal Conservative candidate and former Toronto police officer on X over the weekend.

The victim has been identified by York Regional Police as Abdul Aleem Farooqi , who was fatally attacked Sunday morning when at least three masked suspects in dark clothing entered his home, located in a new subdivision in the city’s Kleinburg area, just before 1 a.m., the police said.

After the suspects left, police arrived to find Farooqi injured inside the home, where he was pronounced dead after failed efforts to save his life. Police have called it a “targeted incident,” but haven’t revealed what occurred inside the home.

However, a person reportedly employed by Farooqi told the Toronto Sun that he was “shot while trying to protect his four-year-old daughter who had a gun pointed at her.” The Sun identifies Farooqi as the owner of Unique Providers Air Duct Cleaning, a business operating in the GTA area.

Outside the home after police arrived, a neighbour witnessed a woman “fall to the ground” in tears after speaking with officers and heard a teenage boy repeating the words “My dad,” according to the Toronto Star.

Nothing else to say, but everything to demand action for. https://t.co/orKgRVj9Qi pic.twitter.com/woJJ0rgIgo

— Ron Chhinzer (@RealRonChhinzer) September 1, 2025

“These victims are absolutely true victims,” posted Chhinzer on X, expressing shock over “unconfirmed social media reports from a family member” that suggested Farooqi “was killed in front of his wife and children.”

The neighbour who spoke with the Star believed the couple had four children — two teenage boys and two younger girls, one of whom is a toddler. At holiday times, the family would bring “chocolate and gifts” to the homes around them.

Prabmeet Sarkaria, MPP for Brampton South, called it “heartbreaking and enraging.” On X, he wrote , “No parent should ever have to face the nightmare of someone pointing a gun at their child in their own home.”

King—Vaughan MPP Stephen Lecce said on X that he’d previously met Farooqi and “will remember him as a good family and a hardworking business leader.” Farooqi is featured in a handful of YouTube videos published on the company’s channel six years ago.

Chhinzer was joined in condemning Farooqi’s death by Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre, who said he was “heartbroken” to hear of a “second homicide in a matter of days in the area.” On Wednesday afternoon, 41-year-old Deuvane Donald Francis died from gunshot wounds suffered at a Vaughan commercial business.

“The crime wave that has swept our country must end with strong laws that crack down on criminals and stop the violence in our communities,” Poilievre posted on X.

This is an unimaginable nightmare for the family and for all the neighbours. My deepest condolences to the Farooqi family. I met Abdul over the past years, and will remember him as a good family man and a hardworking business leader. We hear of too many cases of families… pic.twitter.com/NTqu51pwEu

— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) September 1, 2025

Leece and Sarkaria called for harsher punishments for violent crimes as one step towards eliminating similar incidents and improving public safety.

“This is an unimaginable nightmare for the family and for all the neighbours … The message should be clear to any offender: if you commit a violent crime, then you will face serious jail time,” Lecce said, urging the reinstatement of federal mandatory minimum sentences.

Premier Doug Ford, who has repeatedly expressed the urgent need to address violent crime in his province, is expected to address the matter when he speaks to the media on Tuesday, according to the Sun.

Vaughan Mayor Steve Del Luca expressed his condolences online and said the city remains a safe place, but noted it needs Ottawa’s help to keep it that way.

“We need immediate and urgent action from the federal government to fix our broken bail system and protect our residents,” he wrote in a statement.

A vigil for Farooqi held Sunday night was attended by Conservative MPs Anna Roberts (King—Vaughan) and Michael Guglielmin (Vaughan—Woodbridge). In separate Facebook posts, both called for removing “illegal guns” from the streets and quick action to curb violent crime.

Witnesses who’ve not yet spoken to police are encouraged to come forward, as is anyone with security video from the area.

National Post has contacted York Regional Police for confirmation of other home occupants at the time of the incident and an update on their investigation.

This evening, I joined the Farooqi family and the Kleinburg community in a heartbreaking vigil to remember Abdul Aleem...

Posted by Anna Roberts MP on Monday, September 1, 2025

We grieve together, looking toward a world where our communities no longer bear the weight of violence. Tonight, I...

Posted by Michael Guglielmin on Monday, September 1, 2025

• Jamie Sarkonak: Home invasion is serious. The law of self-defence should reflect that
• Poilievre pushes law change to allow deadly force against home intruders

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