Music community honors "Doorman Legend" killed in The BPM Festival shooting

In honor of Kirk Wilson, the well-respected doorman who tragically lost his life in the shooting at The BPM Festival, the music community in Toronto has expressed their condolences while his friends have established a GoFundMe to support his family.

Wilson, aged 49, worked numerous venues and was a staple in Toronto, but also toured extensively with Nelly Furtado.

Furtado’s guitarist Sean Kelly wrote a heartfelt message on his Facebook: “This is just devastating ... Kirk Wilson was a kind and beautiful soul, and a devoted family man. I had the great pleasure of working and traveling with Kirk, as he was part of the touring team for Nelly Furtado on security detail. Always smiling, positive, and concerned for the well being of others. RIP my friend.”

It’s clear that Wilson was not your average security guard, with TorontoNightclub.com referring to him as the “doorman legend” while his peers called him a "gentle giant”. He was a focal point of the security at Toronto’s INK Entertainment, the company that owns REBEL and Uniun, as well as the now defunct Guvernment and Kool Haus.

Via a company statement, INK Entertainment responded to Wilson’s death: “Our team is overcome with grief over this terrible tragedy, and would like to express our sincerest condolences to his family and friends for their loss. Kirk will be missed by the entire INK team.”

Wilson is among five who were murdered at The BPM Festival’s closing party at Blue Parrot, another 15 are reported to have sustained injuries relating to the attack.

Wilson’s GoFundMe memorial fund was set up by former tennis pro Karl Hale, who knew Wilson from the security team at the Rogers Cup tournament where he worked for nearly 20 years. Those looking to support can donate to the campaign here.

Read how the music community responded to the shooting here.

Harrison is Mixmag's East Coast Editor. Follow him on Twitter here

[Via: Billboard]

[Photo credit: AP]