色色啦

The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, made his first court appearance Friday on charges of first-degree murder and five additional gun-related offences, 色色啦 police Chief Myron Demkiw told media Wednesday.聽

Shots were fired outside Roy鈥檚 family home on , in 色色啦鈥檚 Black Creek neighbourhood, around 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 16.

At the time, JahVai was in bed, snuggled at his mother鈥檚 side. He sat up to investigate the source of the sound and was struck by a bullet that punctured the window of his family鈥檚 second-floor unit.

He was rushed to hospital, where he died.

鈥淚n the hours after this unimaginable crime, I spoke with JahVai鈥檚 mother (and) I told her that we will do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice,鈥� Demkiw told reporters.

鈥淥ver the past weeks, our officers have done just that; every necessary resource was used to find the individuals alleged to be responsible for taking the life of JahVai,” the chief continued. “No stone was left unturned.鈥�

As part of the arrest, police seized a loaded gun that had been modified to fire automatically. Investigators have not confirmed if the weapon is believed to have been used in JahVai鈥檚 killing.

Police have also seized a white Acura that was 鈥渦sed in the commission of the offence,鈥� investigators said. They did not confirm if the shots were fired from inside the vehicle.

When asked about the decision to lay first-degree murder charges, investigators said they believed the shooting to be planned and premeditated “and while the victim may not be the intended target, the charge remains the same,” said Det. Sgt. Jason Davis.

Investigators are still searching for two more youth suspects, who they have obtained judicial authorization to identify. Ibrahim Ibrahim, 17, and Amarii Lindner, who was 17-years-old at the time of the shooting, but has since turned 18, are both wanted on Canada-wide warrants for first-degree murder.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Davis said he believes both suspects remain in 色色啦, and that they are being assisted in evading authorities.

“The world is now looking for you,” Davis said, in words aimed at the suspects. “It’s time to turn yourself in, contact counsel.”

If found to be harbouring the suspects, those responsible will be charged in accordance, Demkiw added.

In a brief but emotional address Wednesday afternoon, outside the Black Creek apartment where her son was killed, Holly Roy thanked police for their dedication to the case.聽

鈥淚 knew in my heart and my spirit that those (responsible) would be found,鈥� Roy said, adding that she was disheartened to hear that the accused were youths.

鈥淚 kind of figured that it would be youth because I don’t understand how someone could be so reckless,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have to do better as a city, as a community; parents, anybody who has lost somebody to gun violence, we really need to do our part and there needs to be a call to action.鈥�

To the outstanding suspects, Roy had just one message: “Turn yourself in,” she said. “You will never know peace.”

In the week after JahVai鈥檚 death, representatives from all levels of government joined mourners at a candlelight vigil and rally where they offered commitments to the Roy family to curbing gun violence in the city.

As of Wednesday afternoon, however, Roy said those promises have fallen flat.

鈥淚 have not seen any tangible steps thus far,鈥� she told reporters. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been crickets.鈥�

For nearly a month now, Roy, unable to return to the apartment where JahVai was killed, says her family has not been offered assistance in finding a place to stay as聽promised to her by Mayor Olivia Chow.

Shirven Rezvany, a spokesperson for Chow, told the Star in a statement that city staff are working to support the Roy family.聽The mayor’s staff says they are searching for places but have not found one yet that would be ready before October.聽

鈥淚n my culture, we need the community to be able to grieve, to process,鈥� Roy said. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 begin to heal from this while displaced.鈥�

Behind Roy, the bullet hole in the window of JahVai鈥檚 bedroom had yet to be repaired.

Since mid-August, the Roy family and their community have fought through their grief to raise awareness about gun violence in the city.

At a rally held the week after Jahvai鈥檚 death, organizers called for an end to what they described as a 鈥渃atch-and-release鈥� bail system, urging officials to reform bail laws so that violent offenders are not released back into communities, along with amendments to the criminal code, rendering any violent act against an Indigenous person a hate crime and implementing stricter provisions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

They also highlighted a need for further investments into social programs that support mental health, addictions, housing, food security and youth programs, and for police to build greater trust with community members.

Speaking on Wednesday, JahVai鈥檚 brother, Diondre Roy, echoed his loved ones’ calls for change and community care.

鈥淚 think as a Canadian population, we need to look at ourselves and redefine who we are as a people; spend more time with our family and friends, check up on the ones you love, take care of yourself,鈥� Diondre said, as he stopped to compose himself.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot going on in my mind right now, but there definitely needs to be a battle for him (JahVai),” he said.

Following his remarks, Diondre, who himself has been a victim of gun violence, showed reporters a tattoo he鈥檇 recently acquired in honour of his younger brother.

鈥淢y brother was my keeper. My brother was an angel.鈥�

The Roy family and their community have asked residents to join them at a march against gun violence, taking place at Nathan Phillips Square at 2 p.m. on Saturday.