HEARTBREAK AS POLICE IDENTIFY SECOND VICTIM
Ten-year-old identified as second victim of Danforth shooting
Neighbours, friends left reeling at news that 10-year-old Julianna Kozis was killed in Sunday’s shooting.
Ten-year-old Julianna Kozis, a competitive synchronized swimmer who a friend said loved to do cartwheels outside her Markham home, has been identified by Toronto police as the second victim killed in Sunday’s mass shooting on the Danforth. Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti offered his condolences to the Kozis family and their friends in a statement: “This heartbreaking story speaks to the unbreakable bond between a father and his daughter,” he wrote, referring to reports that the girl’s father, Donny Kozis, was also injured in the shooting and was brought by paramedics to her bedside at the Hospital for Sick Children.
“This senseless act has shaken us and hurt us. We stand with the victims, the brave first re- sponders and all the communities impacted by this tragedy.”
In a news release, police said the Kozis family has requested privacy as they continue to deal with their grief.
The girl’s friend and neighbour, Vaneesha Selvarajah, 12, said she always gets a ride to school from Julianna’s mother.
The two girls were playing on the street just last Saturday, Selvarajah said, remembering how her friend “loved” to do cartwheels and other gymnastics moves.
“We would just do a lot of talking. She’s into synchronized swimming, and I’m into dancing,” Selvarajah said, wiping away tears.
Toronto city Councillor Jim Karygiannis (Ward 39, Scarborough-Agincourt) said he learned about the girl’s death Tuesday morning.
Karygiannis, shaken, said he’s known both of Julianna’s parents for years, and her mother volunteered on one of his campaigns.
The parents, both of Greek heritage, grew up “within 50 feet of each other,” in his ward, he said.
“This is really close to home,” he added.
“They’re wonderful families.”
Karygiannis tried to reach another family member to give his condolences but instead heard the voice of a young girl on the answering machine. “It broke my heart,” he said. In a statement, the city of Markham said it will lower flags in Julianna’s memory and in remembrance of other people affected by the shooting. On Monday, no one answered the door at the Kozis family’s Markham home. The whitepainted garage door of the grey brick house was closed, with one grey sedan parked on the double driveway.
Next-door neighbour Krishni Selvarajah, Vaneesha’s mother, said she has known the Kozis family for more than 10 years.
“We talk to them all the time and hang out every now and then,” she said. “They’re an amazing family. Very wonderful people.”
Derrick Pinto, who has lived across the street for the past eight years, described the family as welcoming and friendly.
“She was out here playing with her younger brother and other kids this weekend,” he said, calling the news “heartbreaking.”
Arlene Kameka, another nextdoor neighbour, said it was terrible to find out there was yet another shooting in the city.
“Now to find out it happened to a friend next door? It’s so horrific,” she said.
Eighteen-year-old Reese Fallon of Toronto was also killed in Sunday’s shooting. Thirteen others were injured. The 29-year-old gunman in the rampage, Faisal Hussain, died following an exchange of gunfire with police.
Police sources have said he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In a statement issued Monday, Hussain’s family said he suffered from “severe mental health challenges” and struggled with psychosis and depression.
The motive of Sunday night’s mass shooting is not known. Toronto police continue to investigate the shooting, while the Special Investigations Unit continues its probe of Hussain’s death.