Ontario Premier Doug Ford praised a Vaughan homeowner who shot an intruder with a legally owned firearm early Tuesday morning, adding that he should have shot him “a couple more times.”
York Regional Police (YRP) confirmed the homeowner isn’t facing charges and verified that he used a legally-owned and properly stored gun to protect against the sudden break-in, which was captured on security footage.
“As for the person defending his family, he was a legal gun owner, it was stored correctly – congratulations,” Ford said during an unrelated infrastructure announcement in Wellington North Township.
“I’m glad you shot the guy,” he continued. “It sends a message to these robbers, and I encourage all legal gun owners out there – if someone tries to come in and harm you or your family … they need to be shot as far as I’m concerned.”
Ford referenced the tragic case of Abdul Aleem Farooqi, the 46-year-old who was killed in front of his children last November in Vaughan, supporting his ‘shoot first ask questions later’ viewpoint.
“I’ll never forget that one family where the man was protecting his four-year-old child … with three other kids present and his wife, and they assassinated him right before their eyes,” Ford recalled.
“Those criminals need to rot in jail for life. Congratulations on shooting this guy,” he reiterated. “Should’ve shot him a couple more times as far as I’m concerned.”
On Tuesday, York Regional Police released video showing several suspects entering the Vaughan home, at least one armed with a weapon.
This occurred around 12:50 a. m. at a house near Carrville Woods Circle and Crimson Forest Drive close to Rutherford Road.
The suspects fled in a black pickup truck before police arrived.
The homeowner, a middle-aged man, was inside with an elderly woman at the time. They were unharmed.
The injured suspect was later dropped off at a hospital in Toronto just hours after the incident. Investigators quickly determined his injury happened during the home invasion; he is now under police custody while recovering at hospital.
On Wednesday, police identified him as Trestin Cassanova-Alman, 24, who has no fixed address.
He’s been charged with robbery using a firearm and disguise with intent.
“He is also charged with breach of probation order since he was under an outstanding probation order for unrelated offenses during the home invasion,” stated a YRP release.
Three additional suspects are still on the run.
Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca expressed relief that the homeowner won’t face charges.
“No one should ever be put in that situation, and I’m grateful that this homeowner hasn’t been charged since it was self-defense.”
The mayor also noted that the suspect currently held by police had been on probation for other crimes when this incident occurred.
“We’ve seen too many incidents involving individuals already known to police who are out on release orders; it highlights how broken our bail system is that’s failing our communities.”
“We can’t accept this as normal,” he remarked while calling for changes to bail policies.
Ford shared similar sentiments regarding judges letting criminals out on bail too easily: “we have some great judges but we have some really weak-kneed judges allowing these criminals back out on bail multiple times … they’re violent offenders and we will hold them accountable.”
Once again, our community has been shaken by another violent home invasion-one where a homeowner had to protect their family inside their own residence. Thank you @YRP for your quick response. No one should ever find themselves in such circumstances… https://t. co/a Mw UVNNlrrpic. twitter. com/g GHp Vl YHtz
– Steven Del Duca (@Steven Del Duca) March 18, 2026
Additionally, Ford criticized what he described as misguided federal investments into gun bans.
The federal government has indicated nearly $250 million is allocated to compensate participants of their gun buyback initiative.
“The feds are focusing so much effort trying to go after law-abiding citizens who safely store their guns and ammunition; they’re hunters and sport shooters,” Ford said.
“Instead of wasting hundreds of millions going after responsible gun owners why not redirect those funds towards tackling actual criminals?”
“I’m sick and tired of it.”
With files from Lucas Casaletto and The Canadian Press
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