U of Manitoba graduate killed in Langside shooting remembered at funeral as kind, mild-mannered
Melelek Leseri Lesikel, 29, was among 4 people killed in rooming house shooting on Nov.26
Melelek Leseri Lesikel graduated from the University of Manitoba with a bachelor of science degree in 2018 and wanted to go to Alberta to become a welder, his friends say — a goal that was cut short when the 29-year-old was killed in a mass shooting in a rooming house last month.
During a funeral service held in Winnipeg Monday, his close friend Ben Githieya remembered Lesikel, who came to Canada from Kenya as a student in 2012, as kind and mild-mannered.
"We all each remembered Melelek in our own unique ways," Githieya told CBC in a phone interview Tuesday. "For me, I remember just an adventurous kid, full of life, as nonchalant as he was funny. A man of honour, a man of dignity."
Lesikel and three others — Crystal Shannon Beardy, 34, Stephanie Amanda Beardy, 33, and Dylan Maxwell Lavallee, 41 — died after being shot in a unit of a Langside Street rooming house in the early morning hours of Nov. 26.
A fifth victim, a 55-year-old man, remains in hospital in serious condition.
Jamie Randy Felix, 32, has been arrested and charged with four counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
The property owner previously told CBC News none of the victims were tenants of the rooming house. Investigators aren't saying how Lesikel ended up there, and have released few others details about the circumstances that led to the shooting.
Githieya said Lesikel's brother and sister-in-law were among those at his funeral.
When reached by CBC, his family declined an interview. They described him in an online obituary as fun-loving, down to earth and adventurous.
'One of the sweetest men you could ever meet'
Githieya, who had picked Lesikel as the best man for his upcoming wedding, said he was shocked when police called him to let him know his friend had been killed.
Lesikel wanted to move to Alberta to become a welder, he said.
"I think after COVID, he looked at his options and decided that was the best route to go," said Githieya.
Gardina Prince, Lesikel's partner of two years, told CBC he was supportive when she sought treatment to get sober.
Speaking to reporters Sunday at a vigil for the shooting victims, Prince also mentioned that Lesikel wanted to become a welder, but said he'll never get a chance to achieve his goals and dreams.
She describe him as "one of the sweetest men you could ever meet."
"Very kind-hearted, very polite. Always used his manners," Prince said. "He was loved by his family so much, and his mother. I feel so bad for her."
News of his death surprised others who got to know Lesikel at the University of Manitoba.
In an interview from India, Paul Myers told CBC he wants answers about how someone he remembered as sweet, welcoming and kind could end up being fatally shot.
"It was a very harsh reality," Myers said. "For me, it's still a complete shock."
Lesikel was very good in his studies and turned down invites to hang out with friends if he was cramming for a big exam, said Myers.
Even still, Lesikel managed to enjoy free time at parties with friends, Myers said — and those are the memories he's hanging onto.
"It's still very hard for all of us to believe."
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