Five suspects, including two youths, charged after fatal Vaughan home invasion

TORONTO — Five people have been arrested in connection with an August home invasion in Vaughan, Ont., that left a father dead, including a man who’s been charged with first-degree murder, police said Wednesday.

A 16-year-old boy is also wanted in the case on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, York regional police told a news conference.

Abdul Aleem Farooqi was fatally shot after at least three male suspects broke into his family’s home at around 1 a.m. on Aug. 31, police have said. The suspects allegedly stole cellphones for “monetary gain only” before the shooting, investigators said.

Farooqi’s brother has said that the 46-year-old died while trying to protect his family from the intruders.

A 26-year-old Mississauga, Ont., man now faces charges including first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm, Insp. Paolo Fiore said Wednesday.

A 34-year-old Toronto man has been charged with being an accessory after the fact in a robbery, while three others – including two 16-year-olds – have been arrested for allegedly operating the stolen vehicle used in the home invasion.

“It’s time to contact a lawyer and turn yourself in,” Fiore said of the outstanding youth wanted for first-degree murder.

Police said the 26-year-old charged with murder in the case was out on four separate forms of release at the time of his arrest, and another one of the adult suspects was also out on release.

York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween said the case “once again highlights how police chiefs across the country, myself included, remain adamant that changes need to be made to the (justice) system.”

The investigation is ongoing and police believe more suspects may be involved.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2025.

Cassidy McMackon, The Canadian Press