Breadcrumb Trail Links
York Regional Police believe well respected Abdul Aleem Farooqi was murdered while protecting his family from three armed intruders
Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox Sign Up
Published Sep 01, 2025 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 5 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Abdul Aleem Farooqi, 46, was shot and kiilled while trying to protect his family from intruders who broke into their Vaughan home seeking valuables. (Instagram) Article content
A father of three was shot to death in his own “castle” in Vaughan while trying to “protect his family” from armed intruders.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors
Article content
Early Sunday morning, police believe, Abdul Aleem Farooqi, 46, was merely asleep in his Vaughan home with his wife and three children when armed robbers broke into his house and demanded valuables.
Article content
Article content
What happened next is under investigation by York Regional Police. What did occur is horrifying for an innocent family who were minding their own business on the last long weekend of summer 2025.
“He was shot while trying to protect his four-year-old daughter who had a gun pointed at her,” said one of his employees at his business.
What happened here is pure evil.
This is intolerable for the whole country which is already wrestling with the realities of vicious, unchecked criminals, many times on bail or court conditions, who seem to have no regard for anybody — and will come into people’s own homes at will.
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Murder victim Abdul Aleem Farooqi is pictured with Premier Doug Ford (L) and Energy Minister Stephen Lecce.
This could have been you. This time it was the Farooqi family.
“On Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, shortly before 1 a.m., officers attended a residence in the area of Andreeta Dr. and Barons St. for a report of a home invasion,” said a news release from York Regional Police. “On arrival, a male was located inside the house suffering from trauma to his body. Despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
There is no confirmation yet how many shots were fired.
While the release said “this is being treated as a targeted incident,” police sources explained to the Toronto Sun that this meant a home that was targeted for robbery purposes. It is believed the victim was not specifically targeted but the home was.
Your Midday Sun
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Recommended video
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Play Video
Police are investigating the premise that “this was a man who was murdered while trying to protect his family.”
Said the staffer: “He was a very good man and the whole family is in shock. Aleem was a very caring and a very good father to his kids. It’s very upsetting.”
The staffer said she got to know the owner of Unique Providers duct cleaning services well and can say “he was a very good boss.”
A picture of Aleem with Premier Doug Ford and Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce was taken last year, she said.
A “viewing” was scheduled for Monday at his mosque with a burial to follow in the days ahead.
This has been a very busy week for York Regional Police who on Labour Day Monday were investigating their third shooting incident in just five days — this latest one in Markham, where a man was taken to hospital with serious wounds. Police have four suspects in custody.
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Shooting
9:00 a.m.
Ashgrove Rd / Hepburn St – Markham
– Police responded to a shooting in this residential area
– One victim has been taken to hospital with serious injuries
– Expect a large police presence
– Four suspects are in custody
– No immediate threat to public safety… pic.twitter.com/P8y5k4vfC5
— York Regional Police (@YRP) September 1, 2025
Advertisement 6
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
It’s a troubling time in York Region. All of these shootings are heinous.
But a father being shot in front of his children has many people asking questions about what has become of Canada? Former Toronto cop Ron Chhinzer, who ran for the Conservatives in the last federal election, called this a shocking crime.
“If the information I received about this incident is true, Canada, your blood will, and should, go beyond boiling,” he wrote on his X account. “These victims are absolutely true victims.” It will definitely raise the debate over the “stand your ground” castle law argument that even Premier Doug Ford has advocated implementing here.
Advertisement 7
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Last month, a man in Lindsay was charged with aggravated assault for allegedly fending off an overnight intruder — armed with a crossbow, according to court documents — with a knife.
He lived, This Vaughan father did not.
It’s such sad story. A wife and three kids left behind without their patriarch. It’s also a huge loss for the GTA.
Farooqi was a well-known member of the Muslim community in Vaughan.
“He was a family man who was highly respected and much loved,” said a police source, adding “the Muslim officers who responded to the call all knew of him” and the good deeds he delivered to his community.
Advertisement 8
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Police are also investigating several social media reports that a gun was held to the head of his four-year-old daughter which provoked him into fighting back and being shot while resisting the intruders.
Const. James Dickson said “at this time we believe that this house was specifically targeted for the robbery.”
While this investigation is in the early stages, there appears to be no connection between the intruders and the victim or family members. In other words, this is a repugnant incident of what police believe is someone being murdered in their home by people who illegally entered in the middle of the night.
“Investigators are appealing to any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police and to anyone who may have security video from the area, to please come forward,” said police. “
Advertisement 9
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Officers urge anyone with information to call 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7865, or email the Homicide Unit at homicide@yrp.ca. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or by visiting www.1800222tips.com.”
https://twitter.com/Sflecce/status/1962539374886756655
Three suspects wearing dark clothing and face masks fled the scene. Homicide detectives are working around the clock on this. They are working on trying to provide a further update on descriptions.
This was the second such incident in York Region this week.
“On Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at 2:36 p.m., officers attended a commercial premise in the area of Langstaff Rd. and Jane St. for a report of” a “male located inside one of the units with obvious signs of trauma” which turned out to be a fatal gunshot.
Advertisement 10
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Deuvane Donald Francis, 41, of Toronto, was the victim in what YRP call a “targeted” incident but do not believe it is related to this home invasion homicide.
Victim Identified and Appeal for Witnesses in Vaughan Homicide Investigation
– Aug 27 @ 2:36 p.m., injured person with obvious signs of trauma located at commercial premise in area Langstaff Rd/Jane St and pronounced deceased at the scene
– victim identified as Deuvane Donald… pic.twitter.com/ozn452wSyW
— York Regional Police (@YRP) August 29, 2025
Advertisement 11
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Both are disturbing. But Farooqi being shot in front of his own kids is repugnant and intolerable. Details portrayed on social media are being investigated as police follow their leads.
But all indicators are this is another case of a family subjected to violence in their own home which will bring about more discussion about the need to implement the Castle Doctrine in Canada.
It will be too late for the Farooqi family.
Read More
Toronto man found fatally shot in commercial premise in Vaughan
WARMINGTON: Sleeping man who allegedly defended himself against intruder faces charges
Article content
Share this article in your social network