Julianna Kozis, 10, identified as second victim in Danforth shooting
Posted July 24, 2018 9:08 pm.
Last Updated July 25, 2018 1:24 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto police have identified Julianna Kozis as the 10-year-old girl killed in Sunday night’s mass shooting on the Danforth.
In a release on Tuesday, police said Julianna was from Markham and her family has requested privacy.
She was one of two people killed when a gunman opened fire in the neighbourhood around 10 p.m. on Sunday. Reese Fallon, 18, has been identified as the other victim.
There were 13 others injured in the shooting, with injuries ranging from minor to serious.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti released a statement expressing condolences to the Kozis family.
“This heartbreaking story speaks to the unbreakable bond between a father and his daughter,” Scarpitti said. “This senseless act of violence has shaken us and hurt us. We stand with the victims, the brave first responders and all the communities impacted by this tragedy.”
The city has lowered its flags in honour of Julianna’s memory and a book of condolences has been placed at the Markham Civic Centre.
On Wednesday, the Markham Synchronized Swimming Club said Julianna swam this past season at the club.
“On behalf of the Markham Synchro Club, Synchro Swim Ontario and Synchro Canada, we are profoundly saddened by the untimely and tragic death of one of our very young artistic swimmers,” the statement on Facebook reads.
“Julianna was a beautiful aspiring athlete who was in her third year in our sport and swam this past season at the Markham Synchro Club as a 10U Provincial Competitive athlete.”
Toronto Coun. Jim Karygiannis, who knows the Kozis family, told Breakfast Television on Wednesday “it is very devastating what happened,” adding that his thoughts and prayers are with her family and the other victims of the shooting.
“Julianna will be remembered as a young girl that was full of life … she will be missed,” he said.
Read the full statement from Scarpitti below:
On behalf of the City of Markham and Members of Council, I would like to offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the ten year old girl Julianna Kozis of Markham who tragically died on July 22, 2018 in a shooting in Toronto’s vibrant Greek neighbourhood.
This heartbreaking story speaks to the unbreakable bond between a father and his daughter, and I salute the Toronto Paramedics, doctors and nurses who reportedly brought them together, showing incredible compassion and kindness in her final moments.
This senseless act of violence has shaken us and hurt us. We stand with the victims, the brave first responders and all the communities impacted by this tragedy.
Our thoughts and prayers are also with the family of the 18-year-old Reese Fallon who tragically lost her life, an accomplished young woman who had plans to study nursing. We continue to pray for the injured and wish them well.
The City of Markham will lower flags in honour of her memory and in remembrance of all who are affected by this unspeakable tragedy. There will also be a book of condolences at the Markham Civic Centre. We hope by coming together, we can offer some solace in a time of great sadness.
