By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman
DETROIT – Windsor native Salvagio Vonatti was shot in the head outside of Gigi's, a Detroit club, on Jan. 10, according to reports by the Windsor Star and the Triangle Foundation.
According to the Windsor Star report, a 17-year-old boy shot Vonatti. Detroit police said Vonatti was shot after the youth made comments about Vonatti's sexual orientation.
Sean Kosofsky, policy director for Triangle, told BTL on Feb. 10 that Vonatti may be moved to a Windsor hospital soon. On Feb. 7 wxyz.com reported that Vonatti is in a coma.
Now, people on both side of the Detroit River are trying to help.
On Feb. 16, co-workers of the victim will hold a fundraiser at the Fogolar Furlan club in Windsor from 5:30-8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and are available through Chris Cecile at [email protected]. Those who want to help can also send a donation to the Metropolitan Community Church of Windsor at 1680 Dougall Ave., Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N8X 1S3. Call 519-977-6897 or visit mccwindsor.ca for more information.
In addition, the Triangle Foundation, which has been working with the family, is taking donations. Send a check to Triangle at 19641 West Seven Mile Rd., Detroit, MI, 48219-2721, and put "Sal Vonatti" in the memo line.
