Vaughan honours the victims of December’s shooting
At today’s Committee of the Whole (1) Meeting, Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council unanimously approved a resolution to establish a memorial to honour the victims who were fatally shot in the December 2022 shooting at a Vaughan condominium.
Co-sponsored by Mayor Del Duca and Ward 1 Councillor Marilyn Iafrate, the resolution directs City of Vaughan Staff to use Vaughan’s existing Tree and Bench Dedication program to pay tribute to the victims. It also calls for the City to host an unveiling event for the memorial at a future time. The memorial will honour Rita Camilleri, Vittorio Panza, Russell Manock, Helen “Lorraine” Manock and Naveed Dada, who were all killed in the attack.
On Dec. 18, 2022, the city of Vaughan was rocked by an unspeakable tragedy – a mass shooting that took the lives of five victims and caused the heinous injury of another. In the days that followed the shooting, the Mayor and Members of Council held a candlelight vigil at City Hall with elected officials from all levels of government, first responders, faith leaders and residents from across the City to show solidarity with the affected families. Flags at City facilities were also lowered to half-mast.
QUOTES
“We extend our condolences to the victims of this horrific attack,
their families and friends. There are simply no words that can adequately
convey how collectively heartbroken we are. In moments like these, Vaughan
residents come together to support one another. Our memorial will pay tribute
to those who were killed. Vaughan will never forget the tragic loss of Rita
Camilleri, Vittorio Panza, Russell Manock, Helen “Lorraine” Manock and Naveed
Dada, nor Doreen Di Nino, who was seriously injured during the shooting."
- Mayor Steven Del Duca
“This is our way of
expressing our grief and honouring those directly affected by these shocking
events. Families will hold dear the cherished memories of their loved ones and
the outpouring of support from the community. The memorial Council approved
cannot repair the damage caused by the attack, the loss of loved ones or
critical injuries, but perhaps it might offer some small comfort to the
families in time.”
- Ward 1 Councillor
Marilyn Iafrate
QUICK FACTS
- The Flags at City facilities were lowered for three weeks in honour of the victims.
- Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council held a community candlelight vigil in support of the victims’ families (webpage link).
- The “Remembering Victims of December 2022 Shooting Members’ Resolution” was unanimously endorsed by Council on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
LEARN MORE
- Read about the City’s Tree and Bench Dedication program (webpage link)
- Read the Mayor’s statement (webpage link)