A candlelight vigil was held Monday night to remember a 61-year-old grandmother gunned down in a Riverdale alleyway over the weekend.
Peggy Ann Smith was visiting her daughter and two grandchildren in the Dundas and Munro streets area when she was fatally shot at around 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
Police said at least 10 shots were fired.
“Gunshots went off and we ran inside and she didn’t come inside,” Smith’s granddaughter Savannah Smith previously told CTV Toronto.
Police have said that they do not believe Smith was the intended target. She leaves behind three daughters, 13 grandchildren and a great grandson.
Earlier Monday, Savanah Smith described her grandmother as a “good woman” who went to church twice a week.
“She prayed for everyone,” she said. “She read her bible every morning when she woke up.”
Attending Monday night’s vigil, Toronto’s mayor described the victim as a “strong leader of the family.”
“You can tell from everything (the family) said about her,” John Tory said.
He said Smith’s death has left him angry, frustrated and saddened.
“We have to do as much as we can, and more, to make sure it doesn’t continue to happen,” he said.
Smith’s grandson said the family just wants justice for their lost loved one.
“This tragedy happened when the sun was still up, (in) broad daylight,” Jerome Smith said at the vigil.
Police continue to search for at least two gunmen in connection with the shooting. Suspect information has yet to be provided by investigators.
Smith pleaded for anyone with information about his grandmother’s murder to contact investigators.
“Tell somebody what you know – that could help solve this so my nanny (can) rest in peace.”
