GTA realtor identified as a victim in mass condo shooting

Police have identified a Toronto-area realtor as one of the victims in a “horrendous” mass shooting at a condo building in Vaughan, Ont.

59-year-old Naveed Dada was among five victims killed in the condominium complex north of Toronto on Sunday. The suspected gunman was shot dead by police.

Dada worked with iPro Realty in Mississauga, the company confirmed. He’d been with iPro since 2019 and has been a licensed realtor for more than 10 years.

Dada remembered as “happy-go-lucky”

Broker Roy Houshmand was “shocked” when he received the news. He remembers Dada as “happy-go-lucky,” adding that the 59-year-old had moved to Canada from Pakistan. “He loved his job and working with people,” Houshmand said.

In an emailed statement, iPro Realty CEO Rui Alves says the company was notified of Dada’s untimely death on Monday. Rui added, “Our most sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues in our organization and all realtors who had the honour of working with him.

In a release, York Regional Police identified the other shooting victims as Rita Camilleri, 71, Vittorio Panza, 79, Russell Manock, 75, and Helen Manock, 71. A 66-year-old woman was also injured in the incident; she remains in hospital with serious injuries.

Three of the victims were members of the condo board

Investigators confirmed three of the victims were members of the condo board — Dada was one of them.

Officials have identified the suspected gunman as 73-year-old Francesco Villi, a condo resident.

While police say the motive for the shooting remains under investigation, there are several media reports Villi had an embattled relationship with the condo board and a history of threatening its members and fellow residents. Villi was reportedly due in court Monday, the day after the shooting, as the board sought to evict him.

Houshmand says Dada volunteered on his condo board, but he doesn’t remember Dada mentioning the suspect or any major concerns related to the board’s operations.

Naveed Dada, Facebook

Dada was a volunteer and “committed” to his job

In an email, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board President (TRREB), Kevin Crigger, says Dada “played a meaningful role as a volunteer and was committed to the real estate profession.”

Crigger also confirmed he was a condo board member and belonged to TRREB’s Young Professionals Network.

“(Dada) tirelessly volunteered his time and served to not only help those realize their homeownership dreams but gave back to the community in which he lived and worked,” Crigger added.