Christina Voelzing donated organs after shooting 'tragedy,' family says

Algonquin College student Christina Voelzing wascaught in the crossfire of a gunfight in her home in Bells Corners on Easter Sunday, CBC News has learned.

• Woman critically injured in Bells Corners shooting

The 24-year-old woman was on life support for days but died in hospital overnight as she donated her organs to those in need, her family confirmed "with heavy hearts" in a statementWednesday morning.

"Life support has allowed family and friend to say their goodbyes. The outpouring of support from friends and the community is overwhelming and much appreciated," her uncle Randy Booth said, reading the statement.

"Out of this tragedy, Christina would be very happy to know that several people benefited from her organ donations. The family is requesting privacy during this difficult time."

Her death marks the city's sixth homicide of 2016.

Police have said the shooting was not random but that Voelzing might not have been the intended target.

Sources told CBC News that fourother people were at the home on Sonnet Crescent when a man showed up at the front door with a gunaround 5 a.m.

A man inside the house also had a gun, sources told CBC News. Police are still trying to determine which shooter fired the fatal shot.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests have been made in the case. Acting Staff-Sgt. Darren Vinet said police are searching for at least one suspect.

Police alsoseized a Black Mercedes car that was parked near the home for forensic testing.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the major crime unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5493.

ChristinaVoelzingMemorial Award

Voelzing had plans to work with young people involved in the criminal justice system following her graduation from the victimology program this April, according to her LinkedIn profile.

"I hope to use my skills and understanding of victims rights and needs as well as the victim-offender continuum to work with and support youth," her profile said.

Her mother,SherrylFraser, is the college'schair of general arts and sciences.

Benjamin Roebuck, aco-ordinatorof thevictimologyprogram, earlier this weekdescribedVoelzingas"a leader, fierce with a sharp sense of humour," who acted as a mentor to those around her.

He added that classmates in her program are creating a memorial award in her honour.

"It's difficult for people as they progress through the justice system," he said. "And so creating tangible pieces that you can hold onto a memorial award that honours someone's life contribution, that comes up every year as a way of honouring somebody becomes a powerful part of a healing journey."

Voelzing's neighbours also gathered for a vigil on Sonnet Crescent Tuesday evening to show their support.

Algonquin College PresidentCheryl Jensen said Tuesday thather thoughts are withVoelzingand her family.

"Algonquin is like a big family," she said. "We have a mom and dad that are suffering, a family that is suffering, we're all suffering with them, as well. We all feel their grief and their sadness at this time."

6th homicide of 2016

Voelzing's death marks the fifth fatal shooting of 2016, and the sixth homicide of the year.

There were seven homicides in total in 2015.

The map below shows the scene of each of the homicides in Ottawa in 2016.