A Toronto man who was fatally gunned down as he was leaving a west-end birthday party was remembered as a devoted father of five at his memorial service on Saturday.
Marlon Lennox Mason, 33, was shot on May 20 as he was getting into his car that was parked in front of a home in the area of Bloor Street and Lansdowne Avenue. Police said shots rang out at approximately 10:30 p.m., littering the sidewalk with shell casings.
Mason's friend rushed the young father to a local hospital, where he later died of his injuries. He is Toronto's 18th homicide this year.
On Saturday, dozens of friends and family packed an Etobicoke chapel to remember Mason, who spun reggae on the University of Toronto radio station. At one point during the emotional service, mourners sang "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley and the Wailers. They also wore white and red to honour Mason, whose favourite colour was red.
One of his daughters stood up at the front of the chapel to say her final goodbye.
"I love you, daddy," said Ava-Marie while standing in front of her father's casket.
Saturday's service was also attended by Mason's former partner, Neisha Tyne. She said Mason was a committed family man – something she will remind his children of as they grow older.
"Constantly reminding them of how many people loved him despite this person or these people who did this to him," Tyne told CTV Toronto following the service. "There are people who love him."
Police previously said the shooting was likely targeted, but say the motive behind it is still unclear.
"There’s nothing in our investigation to date that would indicate any pre-existing baggage," Det.-Sgt. Joyce Schertzer told reporters last month.
She said Mason did not have a criminal record or any gang affiliations.
Police have not released a suspect description.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Heather Wright
