Mother of 8-Year-Old Shot in North York Vows Justice NOW

UPDATE: The mother of an 8-year-old boy fatally shot in North York over the weekend is vowing to fight for justice for her son, Jahvai. In an emotional social media post, Holly Roy declared, “Remember his name!!! Never forget his name!!”

Jahvai was tragically killed by a stray bullet while in bed with his mother at their apartment on Martha Eaton Way and Trethewey Drive early Saturday morning. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. The shooter or shooters remain at large.

In a heart-wrenching account, Roy described the moment of the shooting: “My baby sat up. The last look he gave me was fear! Then another three shots and I felt glass hit my face.” She added that in the chaos, she could only scream and hold her son’s lifeless body. “The devastation my kids witnessed… I cannot unsee and feel my baby’s blood on me.”

Family spokesperson Marcell Wilson, founder of the One by One Movement, remembered Jahvai as a “happy little guy, a genuinely good kid.” Just two years prior, he appeared in an anti-bullying video, urging kindness to others. Wilson urged the community to channel their anger positively, stating, “Don’t become what they are.”

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the grieving family, highlighting Jahvai as an “innocent child taken from this world far too soon.” Organizer Charlene Small emphasized the shattering of what should be a safe haven for children: “Despite every parent’s instinct to keep their children safe at home, that sanctuary was shattered in an instant.”

Community leaders are calling for urgent change. Destin Bujang, executive director of the Black Creek Youth Initiative, described a “cycle of violence” that leaves young people afraid to go outside. He connected this tragedy to a broader issue, noting, “If you can be caught by a bullet in your house… think about just going down to the grocery store.”

Bujang’s organization aims to provide mentorship and safe spaces for youth, as well as resources for navigating trauma. “We try to find unorthodox ways to do counselling,” he explained, emphasizing the need for community support.

Meanwhile, Shaneeza Nazseer Ally, executive director of the For Youth Initiative, expressed the need for systemic change to address poverty and create job opportunities for young people. “Young people shouldn’t feel like they have no other choice but to turn to crime,” she stated.

As the investigation continues, Toronto police have appealed for witnesses and information, urging anyone with details to contact the homicide squad at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously. The community remains on edge, united in grief and a call for justice.

The emotional toll of this incident reverberates through the community, as residents grapple with the reality of gun violence. This tragic loss highlights the urgent need for action and support to prevent future tragedies.

Authorities report that the investigation is ongoing, with no suspects identified yet. Community leaders urge solidarity and a unified stand against violence in honor of Jahvai.