Friends on Facebook are remembering Derrick Crowder, 31, as a "sweet teddy bear", one of the kindest people they know, now trying to come to grips with his murder.
"Several calls were made to 9-1-1 of gunshots," says Montreal Police Constable Caroline Chevrefils.
Crowder, an Ottawa native, was gunned down outside a McDonald's around 9:30 Sunday night in Montreal’s residential Cote-des-Neige neighbourhood, just beside the bustling downtown area.
He suffered at least one gunshot wound to his upper body. He died Monday in hospital.
Crowder was well known in Ottawa's football community, a former member of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Ottawa Junior Riders. A former coach told CTV News, Crowder was a "good natured and fun loving" guy, loved on the field.
On Facebook, an outpouring of grief by friends and family members, "the sweetest, craziest teddy bear Ottawa has ever known, thank you for teaching me so much about what it means to be a real friend," said one friend. Another wrote, "such a heartbreaking loss for everyone."
Crowder was known to police. When investigators arrived at the scene they say Crowder was concious but refused to co-operate with police, "it's always easier when the victim is co-operating with police, it's going to be more work for investigators," says Chevrefils.
It's not clear if Crowder was the intended target. Police are now searching through surveillance video and interview witnesses. No suspect has been identified. Ottawa Police have not been asked to assist in the investigation.
