Peel Regional Police and the family of a 24-year-old London woman killed by a stray bullet outside of a Mississauga bar earlier this month are appealing to anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
Jackline Keji Gore was hanging out with friends in the parking lot of Fume Bar and Lounge around 2:48 a.m. on July 8 when a masked man walked up to a group of men standing near the nightclub door and began shooting at one of them. Police believe that man was the intended target and that Gore was hit by a bullet as the man attempted to run from the shooter.
"Jackline was doing nothing more that night other than enjoying a night out with friends when her life was tragically taken away," Peel police Homicide Inspector Martin Ottaway said at a news conference on Friday. "She was an innocent victim in what can only be described as a senselessness act of violence and disregard for human life."
Jackline Keji Gore
Keji Gore, a member of London's South Sudanese community, was an accomplished basketball player and studied psychology at York University before returning to London to attend Western University. More than 500 people attended her funeral last Saturday. Keji Gore's mother and father were in attendance at Friday's news conference, but were too upset to speak. Her mother could be seen wiping away tears throughout the 10-minute appeal.
“As times and generations change, these senseless acts continue to plague our communities. Jackline was an innocent victim who didn’t deserve to be taken the way she was, from her family, friends and community that loved her,” said James Swaka, Keji Gore’s cousin.
Police continue to search for the shooter in this incident. He is described as a man wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and a mask. He was last seen fleeing the area in a dark-coloured crossover-style SUV. The vehicle was last spotted heading south on Torbram Road toward Derry Road.
"We know there were a number of people present in the parking lot when the shooting occurred and we need those people to do the right thing and come forward and speak with us," urged Ottaway. "We are also appealing for anyone who was driving in the area of Torbram Road and Derry Road between the hours of 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m that saw anything suspicious or have dashcam videos to contact our investigators."
Police have taken a statement from the intended target the night Keji Gore was shot, but are not commenting on whether the incident was gang-related.
Keji Gore's death marked the Peel Region's 10th homicide of the year.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Peel Regional Police at 905-453-2121 ext. 3205 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Witness Appeal in 10th Homicide of 2019 https://t.co/GZEHUat1ln
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPoliceMedia) July 19, 2019
