Man killed outside Sheridan Mall remembered as loving father

Family and friends gathered with balloons and candles – they were supposed to celebrate what would have been John Trevor Paul’s 33^rd birthday.

Instead, they were placed as part of a growing memorial for the loving father of three who was fatally shot outside the North parking lot of Sheridan Mall in the Jane and Wilson area just before 8 p.m. on Friday night.

Officers found the victim badly injured, lying on the ground with a single bullet wound to his chest.

He was taken to hospital via emergency run but later died from his injuries.

John Trevor Paul is the city’s 43rd homicide victim but friends and family remember him as a good person, someone who cared for his community and who was always willing to help.

“I’m going to miss the fact that he was able to put a smile on my face” said Keytell Charles, a close friend. “You can be going through whatever you’re going through but if you approach this gentlemen, you would smile, he just changes everything about you”.

“He was basically my brother, I knew him since primary school.” Said Jimmy. “He was someone who had a lot of influence, he would motivate you in a positive way.”

Police say it’s still early in the investigation and don’t know if the victim was targeted.

“According to investigators the victim was on scene listening to music with his friends prior to this incident happening” said Toronto police Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook.

Police say they are searching for four suspects, however full descriptions have yet to be released. Three of the suspects approached the victim directly while the fourth remained behind in a vehicle, described as being a light coloured pickup truck with a moon roof. The fourth suspect is believed to be the driver of the vehicle.

 

Police released the following surveillance images on Saturday.

 

Anyone with more information is asked to contact 31 Division or to give a tip anonymously by calling or texting Crime Stoppers.

This is the second fatal shooting at Sheridan Mall this year.

Last month, Jovane Clarke, 22, was shot and killed inside the same mall. No arrests have been made in the case.

Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook says that at this point there’s no reason to believe the two incidents are connected.