Candlelight vigil held for bystander caught in gang clash

About 50 friends and strangers held a candlelight vigil outside the Calgary restaurant where an innocent man was slain in a gang shooting on New Year's Day.

Police say Keni Su'a was in the wrong place at the wrong time, killed as he tried to flee the shooting at the Bolsa Vietnamese restaurant that also took the lives of a gang member and his associate.

Bouquets of flowers, candles and a picture of Su'a were placed against the wall of the restaurant Wednesday night.

"Somebody else took his life and part of what we're here for tonight is we took a stand and say no, you might [have taken] his life, but we'll still forgive you. It's a process, but we're not going to be victimized by unforgiveness," said Pose Seumanutafa, a long-time friend.

Su'a was a Christian who came to Canada as a missionary and was working full time with a construction company at the time of his death.

Sua's older brother Mosie was also at the vigil, having travelled from overseas. He recalled how his brother used to talk about how Calgary is a clean and safe city.

"Three things Keni used to talk to me about Canada of all the places he's been to, Canada is much cleaner, very clean place, people are so friendly and it's a very, very safe place. Well, ironically."

Mosie Su'a said that despite cold weather, the friendliness of the people he's met in Calgary has given him a warm feeling.

A memorial for Keni Su'a will be held at St. Paul's United Church on Saturday at 1 p.m. Moise Su'a will be taking Keni's body back to his homeland of Samoa for a funeral and burial.