Danforth drive-by shooting victim 'did not deserve' to die, sister says

The sister of a 20-year-old man killed in a drive-by shooting on Danforth Avenue last weekend said the young man "did not deserve to have his life taken so abruptly" and pleaded with witnesses to come forward.

• Danforth drive-by shooting leaves 20-year-oldToronto man dead

IfrahFarah, sister of Abdullah Farah, who was killed early Sunday morning, recalled a loving brother who never left the family home without hugging his siblings or parents.

"To know Abdullah was to love him and those who knew him were better people for having known him," Farahsaid, speaking on behalf of their large family.

"Abdullah's death was beyond heartbreaking. It'ssomething that no family should have to go through."

Abdullah Farah, 20, diedafter being refused entry to a hookah lounge at Danforth and Coxwell, according to homicide Det. Leslie Dunkley.

Police were called to the area after several 911 calls reported that gunshots had been fired from a moving vehicle.

Emergency responders found the victim without vital signs, lying between two parked cars. He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

'Our brother was not involved in any gang activity'

Farah had arrived at the Cloud 9 caf, at 1524 DanforthAvenue, shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Sunday with two other people, Dunkleytold reportersThursday at police headquarters.

He spoke with a third person outside the cafe before hewas denied entry, and was hit by the gunfire shortly after turning away from the caf's front door, Dunkley said.

Asked by a reporter whether he knew why Farahwas denied access to the cafe, Dunkley said yes but would not reveal the reason. Investigators have yet to identify the two men with whomFarah arrived at the cafe, or the third man he spoke to outside.

Ifrah Farahsaid she wanted to clear up "misconceptions" about her brother that suggested he may have had ties to criminal activity.

"Our brother was not involved inany gang activity," she said. "He was not known to the police and he did not deserve to have his life taken so abruptly."

She accused the media of careless reporting about her brother's character.

"Our brother was killed by a bullet, and we don't want his character assassinated, as well," she said.

Dunkleycontradicted the family'sclaim that Farah was not the intended target of the shooting. Based on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, he said, it appears that he was.

"We have to also keep in mind that he was in the company of three other individuals who mayhave been targeted, but were notstruck," Dunkley added.

He also said that Farah had no criminal record, was not before the courts on any pending charges and had no known gang ties.

'Several people out there who know what happened'

While police initially had little information about a suspect, they have learnedthat a white sedan seen travelling eastbound on Danforth Avenue at the time was involved in the shooting.

On Thursday, Dunkley released surveillance video taken at the time of the shooting that shows the car drive back and forth in front of the cafthree times. On the third time, Farah is shot.

Police have been unable to identify the make and model of the car, and are appealing to members of the public who were in the area at the time, whether on foot or driving by with dash cams, to come forward.

"We know that there are several peopleoutthere who know what happened or who can identifythis vehicle," Dunkley said.