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By Ashley Legassic

REX GILL

Friends and family continue Rex Gill’s legacy one year after his death

Jan 29, 2020 | 11:24 AM

KAMLOOPS — One year after the Kamloops shooting death of Penticton man Rex Gill, friends and family are keeping his memory alive the best way they know how — by helping people.

Matthew Baran was friends with Gill for a decade. He says Gill was ready to help anyone he knew at the drop of a hat.

“We talk about Rex, he’s always been one of those people that are just kind of outgoing and aware of other people’s needs,” Baran says. “He was a very proud Canadian so he believed in keeping Canadians warm and that it’s our job as Canadians to look after each other.”

On Jan. 23, 2019, 41-year-old Gill was gunned down outside of the Comfort Inn and Suites in Aberdeen, and died from his injuries. Police believe his death was a case of mistaken identity. Two hours before that shooting, 31-year-old Cody Mathieu was shot and killed outside of the Super 8 Motel in Valleyview.

Before his death, Gill wanted to do a motorcycle ride from Penticton to Kelowna to take jackets down to the homeless.

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Matthew Baran. (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

“A number of us guys got together this year, about seven or eight of us that rode down in November,” Baran says. “We’re going to do it probably in October again next year, and we’re going to make it an annual event.”

No arrests have been made in connection to either shooting from that day, but Baran says Gill’s family is still hoping answers will come.

“It’s going to take some time for the truth to kind of percolate out, but again the family and friends feel very confident that a resolution is coming.”

Baran says those who loved Gill will always remember him. Last weekend, they did so by finding comfort in each other.

“We also gathered just [last] weekend, had a big bonfire and marked the one year passing, and that was pretty healthy for a lot of us,” he says. “We were able to share stories and our connections and our relationships. Rex had a number of different friend groups and it was kind of neat to see a lot of us come together and support the family, and remind the family that they’re loved and cared for.”