Dozens of people braved the cold January night to remember the innocent man gunned down in a New Year's Day ambush at the hands of Calgary gang members.
Friends and loved ones held a candlelight vigil on Wednesday in the parking lot where Keni Su'a died; but instead of focusing their tribute on his death, they celebrated the 43-year-old's life.
Candles were lit, flowers were laid and prayers were whispered.
Su'a was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was having lunch alone at the Bolsa Vietnamese restaurant located at 55-180 94 Avenue southeast, when two masked men burst in and began shooting.
He was caught in the crossfire in what appears to be the targeted killing of a gang member and one of his associates.
"I want to show my respect, for Keni. He was a very gentle guy." said Bill Nelson.
Friends and family of Su'a say they're still struggling with the random nature of his death.
"That's my question, is how or why. I guess it's not good to hang on to that anger, in order to grieve and move and have that peace. You have to be able to forgive." said Su'a's former wife, Lennie.
Instead of dwelling on their anger, they honoured Su'a's legacy, and the lives he touched.
Clive Francis recalled his memories of Su'a, "One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He was so cool, never got angry, he was always smiling."
"Keni was a good guy, Keni had a good heart and he loved God." said a good friend.
"He's a guy who lights up a room when he walks in. He'll walk on the street find someone who needs coffee. He'll take him in, buy him coffee. He's that kind of guy." said another.
Friends and family also say the vigil is about reclaiming the spot where Su'a died.
They want to send a message that they're not scared to be there, or anywhere else in public, and that the gangs don't have that kind of power over them.
A public memorial will be held for Keni Su'a on Saturday January 10th at 1 p.m. at the Jesus Loves You Society Church at 240 15th Avenue S.W.
Su'a's remains will then be returned to his homeland of Samoa, where he will be buried.
Meanwhile, the recent gang-related shootings have sent a chill through much of Calgary's Chinese community.
David Marques, a spokesperson from the Calgary Chinese Community Service Association, says all the talk right now about so-called Asian gangs is a concern.
"If you use 'Asian gang', the word encompasses a lot. You have Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and East Indians. There are a lot of them. Generalization doesn't work. What is the problem is the label."
Marques says his concern is that if this stereotyping grows, then the Chinese community may be targeted with anything from vandalism to violence.
