

Codi Wilson and Chris Fox, CP24.com





Toronto police say a 33-year-old man who was gunned down in front of his car in the Junction Triangle Wednesday night was a father of five with no criminal record.

Speaking at a news conference Thursday morning, homicide Det.-Sgt. Joyce Schertzer told reporters that the man was shot to death after attending a birthday barbeque on Campbell Avenue, near Lansdowne Avenue and Dupont Street.

Schertzer said the victim, who has now been identified as Marlon Lennox Mason, arrived at the party in the early evening.

At around 10:30 p.m., he told his friends he was leaving and walked out to his car, which was parked out on the street.

Not long after Mason left the party, a series of gunshots were heard by people at the barbeque.

Mason’s friends rushed out to see what had happened and found him lying near his vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

They loaded him into a car and rushed him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Police say Mason, who has no ties to gang activity, moved to Canada from Grenada 15 years ago and has extended family and friends in the city.

While police have not yet determined where Mason was employed, they said he volunteered at a University of Toronto radio station, where he hosted a morning reggae show.

Speaking with CP24 Thursday night, a coworker at the radio station described news of Mason’s death as ‘heartbreaking.’

“It’s kind of hurting me right now to see the way he passed,” Tony Scott said. “He was a good person, as far as I know. He was always there to help people.

“We are going to ask the community now to rally with us and help to see what we can do for (Mason) and his family.”

Earlier Thursday, police said they believe Mason was targeted however the motive for the shooting remains unclear.

“There is nothing in my investigation to date that would indicate any pre-existing baggage," Schertzer added.

It is not known how many suspects were involved but police say there is no evidence to suggest there was more than one shooter.

Investigators say they are currently interviewing a number of witnesses and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

"People are cooperating with the investigation," Schertzer said.

“We still have a lot of ground to cover."

A post-mortem examination was scheduled for Thursday.

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