City of Vaughan honours victims of December mass shooting with memorial

Tree and bench dedication will honour lives of Rita Camilleri, Vittorio Panza, Russell Manock, Helen “Lorraine” Manock, and Naveed Dada

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 20, 2023
Brian Capitao

A memorial is being established in the City of Vaughan to honour the victims of the tragic December 2022 shooting at a Vaughan condominium.

Mayor Steven Del Duca and Coun. Marilyn Iafrate put forth a resolution to use the City of Vaughan’s tree and bench dedication program to pay tribute to the victims. It also called for the city to host an unveiling event for the memorial at a future time. The memorial will honour the lives of Rita Camilleri, Vittorio Panza, Russell Manock, Helen “Lorraine” Manock, and Naveed Dada, who were all killed in the attack.

“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,” said Del Duca.

In the opening of a council meeting, Del Duca mentioned Vaughan is often referred to Canada’s largest small town by its residents with everyone knowing each other and therefore everyone in the community felt a sense of anguish.

“This is tragic. This is in our hearts. This is something we’re never going to forget. All those people whose lives were taken or hurt were all stellar individuals, community-minded people, who had so much more to give,” said a teary-eyed Iafrate during a council meeting.

Previously, flags were held at half-mast at city facilities for three weeks to honour the victims. In the days that followed the Dec. 18 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 in attendance.

“As a community, alongside the families of the victims, I know that we are continuing go through and navigate the healing process. Something that is really, really difficult to grapple with,” said Del Duca in a council meeting.

Read more about the city’s tree and bench dedication program at www.vaughan.ca.