The family of Toronto's latest homicide victim joined Toronto police on Thursday to appeal for the public's help in the investigation into the shooting death of Jermaine Smith.
Smith's brother and two sisters were too distraught to speak publicly Thursday afternoon, but pleaded in a statement for the end of gun violence.
"Jermaine Smith's family and friends have come face-to-face with the reality and horrors of losing a loved one in such a tragic and senseless way," the family said in the statement read on their behalf.
"It is a pain that no one should experience. The violence must end now."
Smith, 28, died after he was shot during a community barbecue in the Scarlett Road and St. Clair Avenue West area on Saturday.
Det. Sgt. Wayne Banks said on Thursday that at least one male suspect approached Smith in the parking lot and shot him several times. He said the parking lot was adjacent to a busy playground.
"This playground was filled with children from the community that were also in attendance at the barbecue," Banks said.
"Mr. Smith was actually seen pushing young children away to prevent them from coming to any harm," he said.
Police said Smith did not live in the housing complex where the shooting took place, but that he had friends there.
An autopsy concluded that Smith died from gunshot wounds to the neck and head.
Police said they believe the incident was not "a random shooting" and have asked witnesses to come forward.
Banks said more than 100 people were in attendance at the barbecue and it is believed that someone may have an idea about who was involved.
Several witnesses have spoken with investigators, including children under the age of 14, but the suspect remains at large.
Anyone who attended the community barbecue in the area where the victim was found, who witnessed the incident, or who has any other information about it is asked to contact police at 416−808−7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416−222−TIPS (8477).
