Toronto marks solemn 1-year anniversary of deadly Danforth shooting

Cbc.ca
July 23, 2019
Alanna Rizza

The sound of church bells echoed through Toronto's Greektown on Monday night after the names of victims of a shooting rampage were read aloud during a vigil marking the first anniversary of the tragedy.

Community members held a moment of silence during the vigil, which began at sunset, as light rain fell on a busy stretch of Danforth Avenue where the shooting left two people dead and 13 others injured.

"We help one another to remember and we help one another to heal. We remember the victims and think of all those with memories from that night," said Rev. Walter Kelly from the Toronto Paramedic Services, who led the vigil.

"Their lives were changed. And the impact of what went on will go on for many years."

Eighteen-year-old Reese Fallon and 10-year-old Julianna Kozis were killed in the shooting, and their names were read at a parkette where Fallon was with a group of friends celebrating a birthday when the shots rang out.

The lone gunman went on a shooting rampage before killing himself.

Fallon's sister, Quinn, placed photos of Reese on a tree in the parkette during Monday's gathering. She looked at the photos of her sister and hugged her friends, some of whom wore shirts that said "Protect kids not guns."

Mayor John Tory issued a statement earlier Monday, calling the day "a sad milestone for the Danforth community and the entire City of Toronto."

"A year later, the healing continues for the families who lost loved ones, for the injured, and for those who were traumatized by this terrible event," the statement said.

Omar Hassan said he came to the vigil because he wanted to show his support for the community in person instead of reflecting on the tragedy on his own.

"I wanted to be another person, another number, to show support and share this experience with the community," said the 25-year-old.

Shirley Ferris said she came to help the community heal from the tragedy.

Ferris said she is a chaplain with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, which provides emotional and spiritual support for victims of tragedies around the world. She said she came to the Danforth last year after the shooting to pray with community members and help them cope.

"Healing is a long journey and everyone does it differently," said Ferris. "These vigils and memorials allow people to heal and share their stories."

A commemorative ceremony was also held Sunday at a nearby park where the community gathered for a moment of silence.

Police have said the motive for the attack is not known, but the gunman, Faisal Hussain, had a long history of mental health issues.