The family of David Latchana, who was killed earlier this month in Mississauga, is denying police allegations that he was a member of the Crips gang.
Latchana was shot in the early hours of Nov. 3, outside a house party on Monica Drive in Malton.
Peel regional police said Latchana was a member of the Crips and that the killing was a result of internal gang strife.
But Latchana's family called a news conference at their lawyer's office on Monday to dispute the police claims.
His mother Donna read a statement, calling her son a "God-fearing hero," someone who did not belong to any gang.
She said her son's slaying was motivated by revenge. Three years ago, she said, David Latchana intervened when a known gang member was assaulting someone. He then testified against the gang member in court.
A few days after the shooting, the family was told about a song that had been posted on MySpace, by someone called Kobra, an alleged member of the Crips gang. The family believes the song was a death threat.
Donna Latchana said her family is scared to go outside and she's asked for police protection.
The family's lawyer, Selwyn Pieters, said the case has implications for future witnesses who may look for reasons not to co-operate with authorities.
Pieters said Latchana was never protected in spite of having well-known threats against him after he testified in court.
The lawyer said he wants the Ontario attorney general's office to examine what it can do to prevent future tragedies.
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