Charges Upgraded After Boy Dies
It is alleged that suspects exited a vehicle and began shooting at another vehicle on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at approximately 2:20 p.m.
There were four victims including the boy who was walking in the area at the time with his mother.
On Monday, November 9, at around to 5 p.m. an Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force Centralized Shooting Response Team arrested Rashawn Chambers, 24, of Toronto, and Jahwayne Smart, 25, of no fixed address, in the Bay Street and Dundas Street West area as they exited a store.
It is further alleged that three loaded firearms were recovered.
Chambers and Smart were originally charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.
At a media conference at 31 Division on November 12, D/Sgt. Keri Fernandes of the Homicide Unit said the charges were upgraded to first-degree murder.
Chambers next court appearance is on December 9. Smart, who was on parole violation, will make a court appearance on November 24.
“This investigation has shown us that the two accused had planned to carry out a murder at this time,” said Fernandes. “The fact that the 12-year-old victim was not the intended target is not a piece of that.”
Fernandes said the family of the deceased has asked for privacy.
“As such, we will not be releasing the name of this young man,” she said. “We will do so if we have consent from the family, but I don’t expect that to happen. They have lost a 12-year-old son and they are a private family that wish to grieve in private.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Fernandes said investigators are actively seeking at least one outstanding suspect that helped transport Chambers and Smart to the crime scene.
“He was the driver,” she added.
Supt. Ron Taverner also attended the press conference and extended condolences to the victim’s family.
“I think it goes without saying what an absolutely tragedy this whole occurrence is and what it has done to the community that’s already fragile at best,” he noted. “Since this shooting, there has been outrage we have heard from a number of people. Certainly, we feel so bad for the family of the young 12-year-old victim.”
Taverner made an impassioned plea to the community for support in the wake of escalating gun violence.
“We are asking for the community support in helping us to solve this crime and the outrageous gun crime in this community,” he added. “It’s almost unspeakable about the number of gun violence that has taken place in this community. There are people who know who are carrying guns and where they are. Please reach out to us. Do it anonymously and let us know who the gun people are.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at 222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.
