Grandfather of Maple Leafs' Victor Mete among victims of Vaughan condo shooting

Toronto.citynews.ca
Dec. 21, 2022
Lucas Casaletto

One of the residents shot and killed by a gunman inside a Vaughan condo building on Sunday has been identified as the maternal grandfather of Victor Mete, a defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The five victims of the mass shooting, three of whom were members of the condo board, ranged in age from 57 to 79, police said Tuesday. York Regional Police confirmed Rita Camilleri, 57, Vittorio Panza, 79, Russell Manock, 75, Helen Manock, 71, and Naveed Dada, 59, were killed at their condominium on Sunday.

The Maple Leafs’ confirmed that Panza was Mete’s grandfather.

“The Toronto Maple Leafs are shocked and saddened by the tragic shooting that took place in Vaughan this past Sunday,” a team spokesperson said.

“Our hearts go out to Victor and his family, to all the families and friends of those affected, and to the local community.”

Vittorio PanzaVittorio Panza, 79, of Vaughan, was identified as one of the five victims shot and killed at the condo on Sunday. Photo: York Police.
The 24-year-old Mete was born and raised in Woodbridge, Ont. to parents Joseph and Mary. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2016 and also played for the Ottawa Senators. He signed with the Maple Leafs in July 2022.

Mete has played 11 games with the Leafs this season, registering two assists.

Police determined that a 73-year-old condo resident, Francesco Villi, used a semi-automatic handgun to kill five people and injure one other, then was shot dead by a police officer who tracked him to the third floor of the highrise.

The surviving victim with serious injuries is 66-year-old Doreen Di Nino, who was identified by her husband and condo board president, John Di Nino.