The tragic death of eight-year-old Jahvai Roy, who was fatally shot by a stray bullet while sleeping in his North York apartment, continues to grip the community as the investigation unfolds. The Toronto Police Service (TPS) is gearing up for a significant update on this case, with a news conference scheduled for Wednesday morning at Toronto Police Headquarters.
In the early hours of August 16, tragedy struck when gunfire erupted outside the Roy family’s apartment near Martha Eaton Way and Trethewey Drive. A stray bullet entered their first-floor unit, tragically hitting Jahvai as he slept beside his mother. Despite being rushed to the hospital in critical condition, young Jahvai was later pronounced dead.
Sharing her heart-wrenching account on social media, Jahvai’s mother, Holly Roy, recounted the chilling moments leading up to the tragedy. “We got ready for bed. Jahvai loved me so much, he brought me my water and insulin. He wanted to kick my back,” she wrote. “We were in bed. He was laying beside me, and then we heard the shots. Two shots… My baby sat up. The last look he gave me was fear… I ran with my son’s lifeless body to my doorway.”
In the aftermath of the incident, authorities released images of a white Acura believed to be linked to the shooting, appealing to the public for assistance in identifying and locating the vehicle, which fled the scene before police arrived.
The heartbreaking loss of Jahvai has prompted an outpouring of support and calls for action within Toronto. A moving vigil held outside the family’s home drew hundreds of mourners, with Mayor Olivia Chow advocating for stronger measures to combat gun violence and stem the illegal flow of firearms into the city.
To aid the Roy family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $89,000, offering financial support for funeral expenses, trauma counseling, and relocation needs.