Vigil planned for 8-year-old boy fatally struck by stray bullet in North York
The mother of 8-year-old JahVai Roy, who was killed by a stray bullet over the weekend at his North York home, says her son's tragic death will not be in vain.
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Family, community mourn 8-year-old Toronto boy killed by stray bullet while in bed
JahVai Roy was killed in his home in the city's north end early Saturday morning in what police have called a 'cowardly act' Published Aug 19, 2025 • 3 minute read JahVai Roy was just 8 years old when a stray bullet struck and killed him in his bedroom in his apartment building at Martha Eaton Way and Trethewey Dr. near Black Creek Dr. in the city's north end. Photo by TORONTO POLICE SERVICE An eight-year-old Toronto boy killed by a stray bullet while he was in bed with his family is being remembered as a compassionate and fearless child as the community prepares to hold a vigil in his memory later this week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors JahVai Roy was killed in his home in the city's north end early Saturday morning in what police have called a 'cowardly act.' Marcell Wilson, a friend of the family, said they are still in shock and trying to make sense of the death while making arrangements to bury the boy. Wilson described JahVai as 'a genuinely good, happy, compassionate, kind, curious child,' who always made sure to look after his mom and his two siblings. 'He was the type of boy that wanted to climb a tree, or if there was a bird or something, he'd want to pick it up and touch it,' Wilson said in an interview Tuesday. 'He was fearless.' The vigil for JahVai is set to take place Thursday evening near the apartment building where he died. The Toronto police homicide unit has said a bullet from a shooting outside the building in the Martha Eaton Way and Trethewey Drive area entered the residence at around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Police said stray bullets also entered two other units, but no one else was injured. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Despite every parent's instinct to keep their children safe at home, that sanctuary was shattered in an instant,' says a statement on an online fundraiser launched to support JahVai's family. The GoFundMe page has already raised more than $57,000, and says funds will help the family with funeral expenses, relocation costs and trauma counselling. Wilson said JahVai's mom is currently trying to pick out the clothes she'll put on her son before she buries him in Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, where traditional ceremonies will be held to honour the boy's Ojibway-Jamaican heritage. Wilson, who is also the founder of advocacy organization The One By One Movement, said he first met the family four years ago when they reached out seeking support for JahVai's older sister, who was being bullied. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. From the young age of six, Wilson said JahVai was a strong advocate against bullying and became the youngest member in a child youth council initiative run by Wilson's organization. 'Because of the stress that his sister was experiencing, he was very enthusiastic about contributing and learning more about bullying and becoming sort of an ambassador for that in his age group,' Wilson said. Coun. Frances Nunziata, who represents the neighbourhood where JahVai was killed, said she has been in touch with the boy's family several times to support them. 'I really can't get over this. It makes me sick of gun violence and innocent people throughout the city being killed,' she said. Nunziata said she's received many emails from community members asking how they can show support, and she's inviting them to attend Thursday's vigil and help work on solutions to end gun violence. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's just crazy what's happening,' Nunziata said. 'We're not even safe in our own homes.' Wilson said he hopes this acts as a 'wake-up call' to spark community and government action against gun violence. 'We don't want to see another JahVai Roy, ever. So let this be the last. And the only way this can be the last is that we all work together,' Wilson said. A social media post invites community members to wear blue to the vigil, described as JahVai's favourite colour. The post says the boy's light 'continues to shine in the hearts of all who knew and loved (him).' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2025. Vancouver Canucks Local News Local News Local News Crime
