Police, mother of man murdered in Liberty Village 2 years ago plead for witnesses

Toronto police and the mother of an innocent man killed in Liberty Village two years ago are calling for witnesses to come forward to identify the shooter.

Kiesingar Gunn, 26, was killed on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 in the parking lot of Forty2 Supperclub, at Mowat Avenue and Liberty Street. He was shot in the head at about 4 a.m. and died in hospital before midnight that day.

Evelyn Fox, his mother, said her life changed forever when he died. "Because of one person's reckless actions, I am forever heartbroken," Fox told reporters on Tuesday.

"Having to sit beside for 15 hours as I watched him die from a bullet wound to the brain, that entered through his left eye, made me feel completely helpless, knowing I could have done nothing for him when I would have given my life for him to have his. I am left traumatized, heartbroken. I can't sleep at night. My tears are endless, my grief is unrelenting."

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Gunn's killer.

Gunn had come to aid of friend when shot

Homicide Det. Leslie Dunkley said Tuesday that Gunn, a father of four, was not the intended target of the shooting. Police think Gunn did not know the shooter.

Dunkley said Gunn had attended a birthday party at the supper club that night with his fiancé and god-brother. He said Gunn left the premises, got into his vehicle, started to leave, and then saw an altercation. He recognized a friend in the group involved in the fight, got out of his vehicle to help, approached the group, gunfire erupted and one bullet hit him in the head.

Gunn fell to the ground. Bystanders tried to save his life before paramedics arrived, he added.

The shooter, who was in the supper club before the gunfire, fled in a waiting vehicle on Mowat Avenue and was last seen heading northbound towards Liberty Street.

Dunkley released new surveillance video showing people outside the club before the shooting occurred. The video shows people milling about. He said police did not have video of the actual shooting.

"We're hoping to jog the memory of some individuals who were there," Dunkley said.

More than 200 people were in the club during the party, which dispersed about at 4 a.m., and about 20 to 30 people were outside when the altercation occurred and gunshots were fired.

The suspect is described as a black male, about 18 to 22 years old, with a dark complexion. He is 5 foot 11 to 6 feet tall, with a slim build and hair in braided cornrows. He was last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt with black prints. 

Gunn was devoted to his family

In an emotional plea, Fox said people who know the killer of her son should talk to police. She also called on the shooter himself to get a lawyer and surrender to police.

Fox said Gunn was humble, fun-loving, hard-working, a family man devoted to his children, two of whom are too young to remember him. He grew up without a father, she added.

"The older two struggle every day with monumental moments like starting school, birthdays, Christmas, knowing their dad would have been there right with them to share the new chapter," Fox said.

"He would not have chosen to miss a moment."

Fox said Gunn was hit by a stray bullet. "Your mother could be up here pleading on your behalf. Instead it is me," she said.

"It really is defeating, knowing that so many people were outside and don't want to speak up."