Vaughan Homeowner Praised for Defending His Property

Premier Ford responded to the Vaughan homeowner who fired shots at a group of intruders on Tuesday. Ford stresses that he was a legal gun owner protecting himself.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is commending a Vaughan resident who shot an intruder, stating he should have fired even more shots.

“As for the person defending his family, he was a legal gun owner, stored properly – congratulations. Yeah, I’m glad you shot the guy. Teach the rest of these robbers,” Ford said at an unrelated news conference Wednesday when asked about the incident.

He continued, “These guys need to be shot, as far as I’m concerned. They’re coming through the front door to hurt your family.”

York Regional Police (YRP) reported they were called to a home in Vaughan after several shots were fired around 12:50 a. m. Surveillance footage released by YRP shows three suspects, at least one armed with a gun, forcing their way into the residence.

According to police, an occupant of the home used a legally owned and stored firearm to shoot at the intruders, who were seen on video fleeing from the house. Authorities noted that one of them was dropped off at a GTA hospital with a gunshot wound shortly after.

Police confirmed they are not charging the resident.

“Congratulations for shooting this guy; should have shot him a couple more times, as far as I’m concerned,” Ford added.

He expressed that “ruthless” criminals who break into homes and threaten families “need to rot in jail for the rest of their lives,” lamenting how sometimes the justice system shows them leniency.

“We have some great judges, but we also have some really weak-kneed judges letting these criminals out on bail- not once, not twice, four or five times. ‘Okay, Johnny, go out and break into the next house.’ They’re violent criminals and we’re going to hold them accountable.”

In a statement on X, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca remarked that this incident highlights how broken Canada’s bail system is.

“No one should ever be put in that position and I am thankful that the homeowner has not been charged since this was an act of self-defense,” Del Duca wrote.

He urged for “urgent” bail reform from federal authorities.

YRP Lay Charges

Ford’s remarks came as police shared new information about the suspect who was shot.

In a news release Wednesday, police identified him as 24-year-old Trestin Cassanova-Alman with no fixed address and stated he remains in custody at hospital in stable condition.

Investigators charged him with robbery using a firearm and disguise with intent related to this home invasion. He’s also facing charges for breaching probation since he was under an outstanding probation order for unrelated offences when arrested.

YRP mentioned he is known to police and wanted by multiple agencies due to various violent offences. In December 2025, investigators labeled him as wanted concerning Project Wrangler-an operation targeting a violent criminal group operating in Ontario and Quebec.

Three other suspects remain unidentified regarding this home invasion case.

Police indicated that their investigation continues.

Neighbors Upset

Erez Elis lives nearby. He told Toronto that locals are feeling unsafe due to this event.

“Everyone is talking about it; people just don’t feel secure anymore and many are anxious,” he said.

Elis mentioned some residents are even thinking about buying firearms.

“It’s becoming common; people feel unsafe,” he remarked.

With Files from Beth Macdonell

Suspects A screengrab from security video released by York Regional Police shows a suspect wanted in connection with break-in incidents in Vaughan.

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