A gunman who went on a taking pictures rampage at a Toronto-area condominium was a “controlling and abusive husband and father” who was estranged from his kids, his three daughters stated as they expressed their shock at what occurred.
Francesco Villi killed 5 individuals — three condominium board members and two of their companions — in a taking pictures at his Vaughan, Ont., highrise on Sunday night time earlier than police shot him deceased.
Three daughters of the 73-year-old gunman stated they have been “deeply heartbroken” for the victims’ households.
“We provide our heartfelt condolences. We’re in absolute shock and utter devastation,” the daughters wrote in an announcement shared Wednesday by the Particular Investigations Unit, Ontario’s police watchdog.
Villi had an aggressive, “Jekyll and Hyde”-type character, the daughters stated, and a historical past of home abuse in opposition to each moms of his kids and his daughters.
“Francesco Villi was a controlling and abusive husband and father,” they wrote.
The daughters, whose names weren’t supplied, stated they’d been estranged from their father for greater than 5 years.
“His kids tried to have some type of a relationship by way of the years and lots of gives of assist have been constantly denied, leaving them no selection however to chop off ties with him for their very own well being and well-being,” the assertion learn.
Historical past of threatening condominium board members
Villi had a historical past of threatening condominium board members and was embroiled in a prolonged courtroom battle involving the board, authorized paperwork present.
Courtroom paperwork point out he believed {the electrical} room beneath his unit was improperly constructed and emitting electromagnetic waves.
The condominium company took him to courtroom in an try to have him cease allegedly threatening behaviour towards board members, residents and employees. Villi countersued. A choose finally tossed Villi’s declare, discovering it was absent of details and vexatious.
Villi was to be due again in courtroom Monday after a choose discovered “vital proof” the person had violated earlier courtroom orders by making aggressive and generally threatening remarks to condominium employees. As penalty, the board was set to ask the choose to compel Villi to promote and vacate his unit.
York Regional Police tactical officers attend the scene of a taking pictures in Vaughan, Ont., Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Police say a number of individuals are deceased, together with the suspect, after a taking pictures in an condo constructing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press)
The afternoon of the taking pictures, and a day earlier than that scheduled courtroom listening to, a video was posted to Villi’s Fb web page.
“All people are working to destroy me,” he stated throughout a 16-minute video laced with non secular language and references to a biblical cataclysm.
At one level, he singled out a board member, calling her a “monster” and the “essential demon” within the condominium. Hours later, she was killed.
“We’re grieving for the households, and they’re in our hearts,” the assertion from Villi’s three daughters learn.
The daughters stated their assertion was the one one the household would make and requested for privateness.
Candlelight vigil deliberate for victims
York Regional Police say 5 individuals have been killed and one woman significantly injured Sunday night time when the 73-year-old gunman went on a taking pictures rampage in his Vaughan, Ont., condominium constructing earlier than he was shot deceased by police.
A candlelight vigil is predicted to happen Wednesday night time for the victims of the taking pictures.
The vigil is slated to happen on the courtyard outdoors Vaughan Metropolis Corridor from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Naveed Dada, 59, (left), Rita Camilleri, 57, (center) and Vittorio Panza, 79, are three of 5 victims who died throughout a Sunday night time taking pictures at their condominium complicated in Vaughan, Ontario. Ontario Chronicle is working to acquire photographs of the opposite two victims. (Naveed Dada/LinkedIn, Rita Camilleri/Fb and Carmela Pirri/Fb)
Mayor Steven Del Duca is predicted to ship remarks and the town is asking attendees to convey a candle.
Police recognized the victims as Rita Camilleri, Vittorio Panza, Russell Manock, Helen Manock, and Naveed Dada.
Doreen Di Nino’s husband has recognized her because the lone survivor of the taking pictures and says she is resting in hospital after emergency surgical procedure.
