Toronto police say 8-year-old Jahvai Roy has died after being hit by a stray bullet while he was lying in bed.
Police say the incident happened just before 12:30 a.m. in an apartment building on Martha Eaton Way and Trethewey Drive on Aug. 16.
Officers responded to a call of gunfire in the area, Toronto Police Service (TPS) Det. Sgt. Jason Davis said during an Aug. 16 news conference.
“Officers responded and located an 8-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound,” he said.
Davis said the officers immediately began life-saving measures, along with Toronto Fire and Toronto paramedics.
“The boy was transported to hospital via emergency run, where, unfortunately, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital,” Davis told reporters.
He called it “unimaginably tragic.”
“The saddest part of this is this young boy was in bed at home when this happened. He was in his home, the safest place that you can be, with your family in bed, when he was struck by a stray bullet.”
He said there was no suspect or vehicle description available, and police were looking to talk to any witnesses from the area. Anyone with information has been asked to call TPS at 416-808-1200, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
“It is very, very early on, and we are open to all aspects of the investigation at this point in time,” Davis said. He added that two other units in the building were hit by gunfire, but there were no other injuries.
“What’s happened here is a cowardly, disgusting act of violence, and every resource available in the city is being allocated to this right now.”
He said that TPS was working hard to find those responsible and hold them accountable.
Davis told reporters there was a group of individuals at a nearby playground that may have witnessed something.
“We’re asking those individuals, if you did not speak with police while you were on scene, please, please contact us. Every little bit matters, whether you think that it’s useful or not, or whether or not you saw something.”
TPS Chief Myron Demkiw said he was “heartbroken” by Jahvai’s death.
“Our thoughts are with the family,” he added.
Mayor Olivia Chow said she shared in the “anger and pain” of the tragedy.
Chow called for an end to gun violence.
“The reckless and violent acts of a few hurt entire communities and leave tragedy in their wake,” she said in the post.
