Canada- 6 people dead, including suspect, after shooting in Toronto condo (Vaughan) Dec 18 2022

[MistyWaters]

Can someone help me understand what the condo board was supposed to address regarding the construction of the building and its electrical room? I am not clear on the scope of condo boards....

Seems the reason for filing a lawsuit against the condo directors was mainly spiteful and vengeful.

The Vaughan shooting suspect had demanded $8.1 million from board members of the condominium - Ontario News

The 73-year-old man involved in a mass shooting that killed six people (including gunmen) at a condominium building in Vaughan, Ontario on Sunday night had

canadatoday.news

“….Villi was shot dead Sunday after interacting with police at the scene of the shooting and had more than $8.1 million from the six plaintiffs, identified in court documents as directors and officers of York Region Standard Condominium Corporation No. 1139 dollars demanded.

Villa had sought from all defendants collective payment of $2,000,000, compensatory damages of $2,000,000, punitive damages of $100,000 from each individual defendant and punitive damages of $2,000,000.

The lawsuit sought additional damages of $250,000 from each defendant for “abusing” their power and “willfully causing physical, mental, financial harm, confusion, inability to rest and sleep for over 5 years, agony, Torture that cannot be explained by words.”

…..Judge J. Di Luca ultimately ruled that Villi’s complaint was “fatally flawed,” “frivolous and/or annoying,” contradicted the now-deceased senior’s allegations, and ordered him to pay $2,500 in costs within 30 days after 30 Aug 4 verdict….”

 

[dotr]

Vaughan condo shooting: Three victims were members of the condo board, gunman identified as 73-year-old resident

Three men and two women were killed, York police said in a news conference on Monday afternoon. A sixth victim, a 66-year-old woman, was seriously injured and remains in hospital.

www.thestar.com

Edward Keenan: Vaughan shooting puts city, already vibrating with negative energy, on edge

There seems to be something in the air in the city right now, at a time when we expect the jingling of sleigh bells and bright lights to inspire joy and generosity. Instead, there’s a brittleness and tension, writes columnist Edward Keenan.

www.thestar.com

rbbm
''There seems to be something in the air in the city right now, at a time when we expect the jingling of sleigh bells and bright lights to inspire joy and generosity. Instead, there’s a brittleness and tension piercing through everyday frustrations and exploding into episodes of violence. The death of 31-year-old Vanessa Kurpiewska earlier this month is still fresh in everyone’s minds, after she and another woman were stabbed by a stranger at High Park subway station. On Sunday, hours before the horrific shootings in Vaughan, a man was stabbed to death on the street downtown. A woman was arrested Monday morning after assaulting “numerous people,” some of whom required the attention of medics afterward, at St. Clair subway station. The memory of a shooting rampage that claimed the life of a police officer in Mississauga in September has barely faded.

You want to keep a sense of perspective, and not get swept up in headlines about sensational crimes to become fearful. Yet, perhaps because of a general sense of unease that many people have been feeling as a hangover from the isolation of the pandemic, and a sudden fierce uptick in frustrations such as traffic jams and overcrowded events that have followed from it, these bursts of violence seem to be contributing an anxious edge to an atmosphere already marked by heightened tensions.''

''One former board member said he’d told his wife “it’s going to end very badly.” He and a current board member separately suggested they had thought Villi to be in need of professional help.

There’s no public information, yet, about the full extent or effect of such attempted mental health interventions. But clearly there were red flags, by the bolt, over a period of years. And now people are dead.

One obvious question that emerges is, how did Villi have or get access to a handgun, with the list of warning signs he was flashing?

 

[jash]

Can someone help me understand what the condo board was supposed to address regarding the construction of the building and its electrical room? I am not clear on the scope of condo boards....

[JS] said Monday that he was on the condo board for a year around five years ago when Francesco Villi had a complaint about noise in his unit coming from the electrical room below.
...
[JS] said it would have been around $15,000 to put some insulation in and make the repair, but Villi started posting negative comments on Facebook about the board of directors.

A legal battle then ensued between the board and Villi...

Vaughan resident says he feared Francesco Villi, condo board fight would ‘end very badly’ | Globalnews.ca

"I've commented to my wife several times 'this is going to end very badly,'" resident John Santoro said. Francesco Villi killed five victims at the Vaughan condo Sunday evening.

globalnews.ca

 

[Marysmith]

The victim’s are named:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/vaughan-condo-residents-shooting-aftermath-1.6692253

 

[Lexiintoronto]

The victim’s are named:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/vaughan-condo-residents-shooting-aftermath-1.6692253

I read on twitter that JW/the Sun wrote that the Maple Leafs will pay tribute to the victims. One victim is connected to a Maple Leafs’ player.

“The Maple Leafs are expected to pay tribute to the five murdered victims (plus one in hospital) of the Vaughan massacre before tonight’s game against Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s extra personal for one of its players since the tragedy has stuck inside his own family. More to come.”

Media release attached to tweet at link:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1605305466950717442

 

[dotr]

Condo killer had frequent car crashes, injuries and suicidal thoughts years before massacre

The frequency of 73-year-old Francesco Villi’s strange accidents and a lack of medical proof raised suspicions he was a malingerer

nationalpost.com

''A bizarre frequency of car crashes and workplace accidents over decades left Francesco Villi, the 73-year-old gunman in a mass shooting at his condominium north of Toronto, depressed, unable to work as a contractor, and suicidal years before his acrid dispute with his condo board over his apartment’s construction.''

''The frequency of Villi’s strange accidents and a lack of medical proof to back some of them up, left doubts over his credibility, a diagnosis of mental illness, and suspicions he was a malingerer long before be was named as a mass murderer after Sunday’s targeted shootings.''

 

[branmuffin]

He definitely sounded like he had mental health issues; for years based on his records but what about his claims about electromagnetic fields? Is that all just sci-fi mumbo jumbo or is there something to it? Didn't the US military do experiments about electromagnetic fields? Here's a link from the UK about the risks living near pylons or substations.

Should We Be Worried About Living Near Electrical Substations and Pylons? - EMF Detection

Do you live near an electricity distribution point, such as a final distribution substation or a pylon? Do you know what a final distribution substation or pylons are? If you’ve asked these questions, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take a look at final distribution substations &...

substation-health-risks.co.uk

When I worked for the OPP we had a couple of cops who ended up with testicular cancer when they were out clocking the speeds of drivers. They used to sit with the hand held device in their laps until vehicles appeared. It was thought the radar device caused the cancer.

I suppose mental illness and physical illnesses are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Observant-ADHD-ENFP-BSc]

A psychiatric hospital in Toronto closed down in 1979, and many of the patients were left unsupported and homeless. I'm wondering whether he may have been a patient.

 

[airportwoman]

This is so tragicly senseless. This article is quite extensive. In summary this man obviously held a grudge against the “demonic” condo board, not because it was warranted in the least, but because he was delusional in believing that something about the condo’s electricity was causing him breathing problems - not the fact that he had lung cancer. So very sad.

73-year-old man in bitter dispute over his Ontario home kills condo board members in fight against 'demons'

Police say three of the five people killed were members of the condo board, though authorities are not yet able to release the identities of the victims

calgaryherald.com

He had lung cancer? Maybe he had brain mets, and they altered his behavior, to put it mildly? (I haven't read the entire thread yet.)

Between this and those 8 adolescent girls who are suspects in the death of that man, Toronto is not a good place right now.

 

[branmuffin]

A psychiatric hospital in Toronto closed down in 1979, and many of the patients were left unsupported and homeless. I'm wondering whether he may have been a patient.

He had a fairly extensive work history going back to the early 70s which was peppered with health issues relating to workplace accidents and car accidents. I don't think he was a patient. Are you talking about 999 Queen St? That is still a functioning mental health facility although the address is now 1001 Queen St W. Lakeshore Psychiatric hospital closed in the 70s and has been used for numerous tv shows. Back in the early 90s the Harris government closed a lot of facilities and yes, you are right, many of the patients ended up unsupported and homeless.

 

[Observant-ADHD-ENFP-BSc]

He had a fairly extensive work history going back to the early 70s which was peppered with health issues relating to workplace accidents and car accidents. I don't think he was a patient. Are you talking about 999 Queen St? That is still a functioning mental health facility although the address is now 1001 Queen St W. Lakeshore Psychiatric hospital closed in the 70s and has been used for numerous tv shows. Back in the early 90s the Harris government closed a lot of facilities and yes, you are right, many of the patients ended up unsupported and homeless.

Thank you for that background.
My husband is from Toronto and told me about the place closing but he didn't know which hospital it was. (I'm from UK and have been in Canada, nr Toronto for 12 years now). I did a quick search and the information is confusing and contradictory. What I could make out is that it was called Mimico Insane Asylum and then later called Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital.
It was on Lakeshore. But I did read about the Queens Street one when I was searching. I think between the two, a lot of patients got "lost".
ETA: I'm wondering if he was one of the "lost" patients.

 

[branmuffin]

Thank you for that background.
My husband is from Toronto and told me about the place closing but he didn't know which hospital it was. (I'm from UK and have been in Canada, nr Toronto for 12 years now). I did a quick search and the information is confusing and contradictory. What I could make out is that it was called Mimico Insane Asylum and then later called Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital.
It was on Lakeshore. But I did read about the Queens Street one when I was searching. I think between the two, a lot of patients got "lost".
ETA: I'm wondering if he was one of the "lost" patients.

I don't think he's ever been a patient at a mental health facility. He's been through numerous hearings regarding some kind of Workers compensation where they have challenged his claims and he's lost the benefit. He represented himself at aleast one of those hearings which is unfortunate because you'd hope that if someone was advocating for him might have seen he had mental issues. You can't force someone to get help, though.

He's obviously lived in Canada for a long time, coming over when he must have been in his early twenties, yet his accent is so thick, you'd think he's only been here for a decade or so. However, if you live surrounded by your countrymen where you live and work in that community, I guess you'll never improve your English. I noticed a lot of the name of the victims and those interviewed are Italian so it was a real close knit community.

It's just so unfortunate that things escalated the way they did. So many people saw the trajectory of his mental breakdown and his ever increasing threat level but nothing was done. They just tried to handle it themselves. And the reality is, no one would have thought in a million years some contrary 'get off my lawn' kind of old guy would have a semi automatic weapon. I wonder if he's had it for years.

Apparently one of the deceased is the grandfather of a Toronto Maple Leaf hockey player.

 

[Marysmith]

I don't think he's ever been a patient at a mental health facility. He's been through numerous hearings regarding some kind of Workers compensation where they have challenged his claims and he's lost the benefit. He represented himself at aleast one of those hearings which is unfortunate because you'd hope that if someone was advocating for him might have seen he had mental issues. You can't force someone to get help, though.

He's obviously lived in Canada for a long time, coming over when he must have been in his early twenties, yet his accent is so thick, you'd think he's only been here for a decade or so. However, if you live surrounded by your countrymen where you live and work in that community, I guess you'll never improve your English. I noticed a lot of the name of the victims and those interviewed are Italian so it was a real close knit community.

It's just so unfortunate that things escalated the way they did. So many people saw the trajectory of his mental breakdown and his ever increasing threat level but nothing was done. They just tried to handle it themselves. And the reality is, no one would have thought in a million years some contrary 'get off my lawn' kind of old guy would have a semi automatic weapon. I wonder if he's had it for years.

Apparently one of the deceased is the grandfather of a Toronto Maple Leaf hockey player.

I wonder if he even had next of kin that could have been contacted?

 

[loveisthemovement]

I wonder if he even had next of kin that could have been contacted?

That's a good question... Was he ever married? Kids? Haven't seen a statement from any family members....

 

[branmuffin]

That's a good question... Was he ever married? Kids? Haven't seen a statement from any family members....

I read this morning he has three daughters who he was estranged from because of a history of abusive and controlling behavior both with them and their mother.

‘We are in absolute shock’: Family of Vaughan condo gunman says he was ‘controlling and abusive’ husband, father

In a written statement given exclusively to the Star, the three daughters of Francesco Villi say they are stunned and are grieving for the families of victims.

www.thestar.com

 

[branmuffin]

Here's another link in case the other is behind a paywall.

Estranged daughters of condo gunman say he was 'abusive husband and father'

The gunman in a Toronto-area condo shooting rampage was a "controlling and abusive husband and father" who was estranged from his children, his three daughters say in a statement.

toronto.ctvnews.ca

 

[Marysmith]

I read this morning he has three daughters who he was estranged from because of a history of abusive and controlling behavior both with them and their mother.

‘We are in absolute shock’: Family of Vaughan condo gunman says he was ‘controlling and abusive’ husband, father

In a written statement given exclusively to the Star, the three daughters of Francesco Villi say they are stunned and are grieving for the families of victims.

www.thestar.com

Brutal. To everything.

 

[IQuestion]

Don't know if this has been posted, but this is an actual video of Vaughan "Villi" ranting and baiting. He claims he was brought up to be respectful of others. He sees himself as an "upright citizen surrounded by evil" ie "Liars and demons." (It is pretty shocking, but he never curses and reminds me of an old world town square speech maker.)

Condo killer had frequent car crashes, injuries and suicidal thoughts years before massacre

The frequency of 73-year-old Francesco Villi’s strange accidents and a lack of medical proof raised suspicions he was a malingerer

nationalpost.com

***the recording is bottom right hand screen

 

[jash]

Don't know if this has been posted, but this is an actual video of Vaughan "Villi" ranting and baiting. He claims he was brought up to be respectful of others. He sees himself as an "upright citizen surrounded by evil" ie "Liars and demons." (It is pretty shocking, but he never curses and reminds me of an old world town square speech maker.)

Condo killer had frequent car crashes, injuries and suicidal thoughts years before massacre

The frequency of 73-year-old Francesco Villi’s strange accidents and a lack of medical proof raised suspicions he was a malingerer

nationalpost.com

***the recording is bottom right hand screen

His facebook page had lots of self-recorded videos posted but the page is gone now (probably deemed evidence - www.facebook.com/francesco.villi.963). In the last video recorded, he called people "b*st*rds" repeatedly.

 

[dotr]

Vaughan condo shooting victims to honoured with candlelight vigil

Dozens came out Wednesday night to honour the memory of those lives that were taken in a mass shooting at a condo building over the weekend.

toronto.citynews.ca

''Dozens came out Wednesday night to honour the memory of those lives that were taken in a mass shooting at a condo building over the weekend.

Family members of the victims were joined by friends of those who died along with shocked community members at a sombre candlelight vigil as the community came together for the first time since the shooting took place.

One by one those in attendance placed a candle down in the courtyard at Vaughan City Hall, taking the time to grieve together as one community.

While the families did not want to speak, they listened to the tributes and condolences from community leaders, such as Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca and Pastor Jason Cleugh from Maple Community Church.

“There are no words that can hide your grief. There are no tears that can cover your pain. There are not enough tears you can cry that can express the loss,” said Cleugh.

“Please let your light shine and their memory will live through you. Speak wonderful things of them at this Christmas season. This holiday season, remember them, be thankful for them. We are thankful they are part of our community.”
Del Duca said there are no words that can adequately convey Vaughan’s collective heartbreak, nor are there any words that could provide enough comfort to the victims’ families.''

CityNews

toronto.citynews.ca

By Jack L. Rozdilsky, Associate Professor of Disaster and Emergency Management, York University
Dec 21, 2022,
''As an associate professor of disaster and emergency management, I have analyzed other Canadian mass shootings, like the 2018 incident on crowded Danforth Ave. in Toronto and the 2020 shooting spree in Nova Scotia that left 22 people dead.

But this mass shooting was different for me. That’s because I live in the building.

I now face the cognitive dissonance of what it means to have both professional and personal survival perspectives of first-hand exposure to a mass shooting.

An otherwise normal Sunday evening​

The night of Dec. 18 started off as an otherwise normal Sunday evening. But then I heard a fire alarm and, like many other residents of Bellaria Tower, exited the building. At the time, I had no knowledge of being in the vicinity of an active shooter.

I took the stairs down to the lobby, made my way to the garage and still thinking this was likely a false fire alarm, which usually meant waiting outside for a while, I left the complex to run some errands''