Toronto Police say all three of the violent, masked home invaders were packing heat, which put an unarmed family at great disadvantage.
But, still, this Bridle Path family fought back – hence the gunfire that went on in this large house on Hyde Park Circle early Thursday.
While police have not yet provided any security footage, they did release descriptions Friday of the three bandits who are on the run after fleeing the upscale neighbourhood in a dark-coloured SUV around 3:45 a.m.
The first suspect is described as a Black man, about 20 years old, with a thin build, who was wearing all dark clothing and a face mask.
The second suspect is described as man, about 20 years old, with a thin build, who was wearing all dark clothing and a face mask.
And the third suspect is described as man, about 20 years old, who was also wearing all dark clothing and a face mask.
We understand the fear and concern this violent home invasion has caused. The impact on this family is devastating, and we wish them strength and recovery in the difficult days ahead. The impact on our communities is also very real.
— Chief Myron Demkiw (@TPSMyronDemkiw) October 30, 2026
I want Torontonians to know that we are… https://t.co/zysVw5BKYH
Hold-Up Squad working overtime to catch home invaders
“Members of the Hold-Up Squad have commenced an investigation and are seeking to identify the suspects,” police said in a statement released Friday, adding the trio should be “considered armed and dangerous.”
Investigators are also trying to determine how many shots were fired inside the house.
“Three suspects armed with firearms and a hammer forced entry into a home,” police explained. “Once inside, the suspects went to the second floor of the residence (and) made a demand for personal valuables.”
An “altercation” subsequently ensued between the bandits and the occupants of the home, which police said resulted in “multiple firearms” being discharged.
The father and his daughters, 26 and 28, were all hit by gunfire, while the 75-year-old patriarch and his 64-year-old wife were struck with a hammer.
Insp. Kristy Smith said two of the four victims dealing with life-altering injuries.
People should be allowed to protect themselves
What would this all look like today if all four of the victims in this case had guns of their own? While the criminal element won’t like it, if someone comes into your home to harm or steal, things would change if people were permitted to shoot them with a legally registered gun.
There needs to be a law like that. People should be allowed to protect themselves and not just be sitting ducks. The way it is now, the only people who have guns are the criminals who are invading our homes.
Victimized family speaks out
Mother Doriana Zohil-Morton and her daughters Cristina and Maggie, as well as the patriarch of the family, David Morton, CEO of The Mac Group, are said to be in stable condition and recovering.
The family broke their silence Friday on the terrifying ordeal that has shocked the city and made headlines around the world.
And in a statement released to CTV , David Morton voiced concern about the violence being perpetrated against innocent people in their homes.
“While we are focused on recovery and supporting one another as a family, we are also deeply concerned about the increasing violence associated with home invasions and the safety of families throughout Toronto,” David said.
“No family should ever have to experience this,” he said. “People should be able to sleep peacefully in their homes without fear of armed individuals breaking in and threatening their lives.”
“We are a family, and our priority is getting through this together,” David added.
This could have gone the other way. It was close to there being four funerals.
It’s also getting closer to being a time when people are going to get sick of the bad guys having guns and using them at will while the good guys are not allowed to have them.
👀🚨 UPDATE: Police confirm the victims of the violent home invasion in Toronto this morning, a father & his 2 daughters, were shot by a group of armed home invaders who smashed their way in via a backdoor.
— CCFR/CCDAF (@CCFR_CCDAF) October 29, 2026
The mother also sustained serious injuries after being hit with a hammer pic.twitter.com/zMQzWF5vtN
Will this soon change?
“We absolutely believe that not only is self defence with a firearm legal under Canadian law, it should be a legal reason to acquire a firearm.,” said Tracey Wilson, VP of Public Relations for the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, adding the CCFR believes “properly trained and vetted individuals ought to be given authorizations to carry firearms for self defence without needing to prove a specific threat or that police protection is insufficient.”
“We absolutely believe that not only is self defence with a firearm legal under Canadian law, it should be a legal reason to acquire a firearm.,” said Tracey Wilson, VP of PR for the @CCFR_CCDAF https://t.co/669I2U4zfz
— Tracey Wilson (@TWilsonOttawa) October 30, 2026
On Thursday, Conservative Vaughan-Woodbridge MP Michael Guglielmin introduced Private Member’s Bill C-293, the Safe at Home Act.
“At a time when violent offenders are breaking into homes, threatening families and putting lives at risk, Canadians deserve to feel safe in their own homes,” he said. “That is why the Safe at Home Act would create a stand-alone Criminal Code offence for violent home invasion, with serious bail and sentencing consequences.”
The Liberal government must support my Private Member’s Bill, Bill C-293, the Safe at Home Act, alongside the Stand on Guard Act to protect families, hold violent offenders accountable and ensure Canadians can defend themselves and their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/WnD7WzhJc6
— Michael Guglielmin (@MikeGuglielmin) October 30, 2026
Police tell me they would like to be able to get easier access to electronic devices through reforms with Bill C-22 and want to see extensive bail reform so they can keep bad criminals in jail longer.
But should this go further? Do people need the right to be armed with the same firepower as those who would harm them have?
“Police cannot be everywhere at once; we are our own first responders and therefore should have access to the same tools as they do,” Wilson said. “The CCFR also believes that one’s home is one’s castle.”
- WARMINGTON: Three people shot in 'violent interaction' during Bridle Path home invasion
- Man charged, boy wanted for murder of father killed in Vaughan home invasion
- WARMINGTON: Armed home invader met his match when Oakville resident did a citizen's arrest
People like this family – and murdered Vaughan dad Abdul Aleem Farooqi , 46, who was shot to death in front of his family during a home invasion Aug. 31, 2025 – deserve to have a fighting chance.
Even Premier Doug Ford is on side with this . He has stuck up for more than one person who fended off attackers in their homes as well as bandits trying to drive off with their car .
Ford has guns at his house because he has armed close protection officers assigned to him. Is it time for the rest of Ontario to be able to have legal guns they are allowed to use?
jwarmington@postmedia.com