Ontario Premier Doug Ford says those responsible for the death of an 8-year-boy, killed by a stray bullet in his bed in North York over the weekend, should be offered little in the way of leniency by the courts if they are apprehended.
Speaking at an unrelated press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Ford called JahVai Roy鈥檚 death 鈥渉eartbreaking,” before turning to address those responsible.
鈥淭hese are the punks that are running around with guns, terrorizing our communities,鈥 Ford said. 鈥淎nd a poor little boy lost his life.鈥
Gunfire erupted outside JahVai Roy’s family home, a highrise on in Black Creek, around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday.
As shared by JahVai’s mother, Holly Roy, he was snuggled next to her in bed when he heard what he thought were fireworks. Within moments of sitting up to investigate the source, JahVai was struck by a bullet that punctured the window of the second-floor unit.
He was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Det.-Sgt. Jason Davis, with 海角社区官网police’s homicide and missing persons unit, said the shooting happened outside the building. Two other units were struck by gunfire, but JahVai was the only one injured.
Police have provided little in the way of updates since Sunday. As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests have been made and investigators have not provided descriptions of a suspect or suspects.聽
“As soon as we have new information, we will put it out,” Laurie McCann, spokesperson for the 海角社区官网Police Service, said when reached by the Star on Tuesday.
A police cruiser sits outside of 15 Martha Eaton Way, where JahVai Roy was killed by a stray bullet early Saturday morning.聽
Nick Lachance/海角社区官网StarAlthough no charges have been laid in connection with JahVai鈥檚 death, the premier went on to lambast what he called a 鈥渨atered-down鈥 bail system.
鈥淚 wouldn’t be surprised (if) they catch these punks and some bleeding heart judge is going to (...) let them out,鈥 Ford continued, emphasizing a desire for the federal government to implement 鈥渉ardcore鈥 bail reform measures.
Ford’s comments came as loved ones gathered on the Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island Wednesday morning to take part in a traditional ceremony for JahVai.
In footage shared by JahVai鈥檚 father on Facebook, a procession of cars and emergency vehicles, lights flashing, can be seen driving through Rabbit Island, a small satellite community about a 10-minute drive north of Wikwemikong.
鈥淔ly high, sweet boy,鈥 one mourner wrote in response.
JahVai’s mother, Holly Roy, has said she plans to hold a ceremony of life following the burial.
In Toronto, a candlelight vigil is set to take place Thursday evening, outside of the apartment building where JahVai lived, followed by a rally outside City Hall on Friday morning, where supporters will call for a citywide shut down to end gun violence.
Friends, community members and supporters have rallied around the Roy family in the wake of JahVai鈥檚 death, raising nearly $70,000 in just over three days.
In an emotional post shared the day after JahVai鈥檚 death, Roy asked her community to 鈥渘ever forget鈥 her son鈥檚 name.
“I promise, baby, your name will not go in vein,” she wrote. “Everybody will know it and Mommy’s going to go hard for justice.”
Holly Roy says she will fight for justice in the shooting death of her 8-year-old son, JahVai Roy.
Holly Roy
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