Peel regional police have identified a man who was fatally shot dead in Mississauga Wednesday night and are asking for information about the case.
Officers responded to gunfire from a housing cooperative in the Glen Erin Drive and Britannia Road West area around 10 p.m., June 22.
When they arrived they found a man with gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to save the lives of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police on Friday identified the victim as Roiss Bennett, 45, of Mississauga.
A neighbor who lives in the complex told CP24 on Thursday that Bennett was a much-loved member of the community.
“He was a very nice guy, he used to pay the rent on time. He was very frank, well disciplined. So he’s also very popular in the community,” the neighbor said.
Police said Friday they believe Bennett was the target.
A yellow police tape cordoned off the area around a house on Thursday as police continued to investigate. CP24 crime analyst Steve Ryan said a trail of pots found in an alley at the scene seemed to suggest some sort of chase before the victim collapsed near a fence behind some houses.
Speaking to CP24, a woman living in the area said she heard gunshots Wednesday night and thought they could be fireworks.
“I thought they were fireworks and I said,‘ Oh, what are they celebrating? ’” He said. “And I sat down and said ‘okay, they’re too loud.’ I called my brother and I said, ‘Hey, do you think we should call the police because they don’t sound like fireworks.’
He said he heard the sirens less than three minutes later.
“And I could only hear, alas, how many sad cries to this side of the neighborhood.”
There is currently no suspicious description and police are calling anyone with information about the case or video footage of the area to contact investigators.