Investigators 'working tirelessly' to catch 15-year-old boy's killer
Jahkai Jack was gunned down in an 'unprovoked act of violence' in the city's west end last month
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Investigators are urging witnesses to “do the right thing” and help cops catch the shooter responsible for last month’s “unprovoked” killing of a teenage boy in the city’s west end.
Toronto Police issued the plea during a news conference held at Buttonwood and Charlton Settlement Aves. – the residential neighbourhood near Weston Rd. and Jane St. where Jahkai Jack was shot to death just after 10 p.m. on June 7.
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“This was a completely unprovoked act of violence against a 15-year-old boy,” Det.-Sgt. Phillip Campbell said Wednesday.
He said Jahkai, who was not involved in “gangs or any kind of criminality,” had his whole life ahead of him when his killer opened fire with upwards of 10 people in the vicinity.
The boy was hit once in the chest.
“Tragically, he died from his injuries,” Campbell said, adding the victim’s family has been shattered by his murder.
“So, to the person responsible, if you’re watching this, you need to know that what you did devastated a family. And I’m asking you to do the right thing and turn yourself in to police,” the homicide investigator pleaded.
“To the people who were there that night and may have witnessed this, I’m asking you too to do the right thing and get a hold of us – help us find out what happened that night,” he added.
Campbell also made a point of reminding members of the public that they can be charged with accessory after the fact to murder if they assist the killer in evading justice in any way.
Supt. Richard Harris, of 12 Division, also spoke at the news conference explaining Jahkai’s death is “an unimaginable loss” for his family, friends, school community and neighbourhood.
“A 15-year-old boy was taken from his loved ones in a senseless act of violence,” he said. “As parents and as officers who work in and know this community, I can tell you this has shaken all of us.”
“Jahkai should have made it home that night – he should still be here today,” Harris said.
“To anyone who knows anything, please speak up,” he urged. “Do it for Jahkai. Do it for his family. And do it for this community.”
It has been reported that people calling 911 for help were put on hold and that it took 10 minutes from the time a 911 call was received to the time emergency responders arrived at the scene.
A man who lives nearby, who did not want to be identified, explained to reporters on Wednesday that he went outside to investigate after hearing “about five gunshots” ring out.
“I saw two young individuals trying to ask for help,” he recalled Wednesday, adding he asked the youths “what can I do?”
“They said, ‘Call 911.’ They were already on the phone with 911, then I called 911,” the area resident said. “I helped them bring the young individual across the street, I gave him some water and tried to keep him on his side.”
He said he also tried to keep the gravely injured boy awake and helped his friends lift him into a vehicle to drive him to hospital rather than wait for medical help to arrive.
“I wish there was more I could have done. I wish maybe that 911 answered,” he said, explaining he was never able to get through to the emergency number but someone else obviously did.
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When questioned about the alleged slow medical response, Campbell maintained the focus at this point should be on catching Jahkai’s killer.
“What I can tell you is Jahkai was shot in this area – 911 was called, we were here within minutes, and ultimately what killed Jahkai was him being shot,” he said.
Campbell also said investigators have obtained and reviewed footage from video cameras in the area.
But so far, he was only able to say that the killer is a male who was wearing dark clothing on the night of the deadly shooting.
Campbell added that a team of homicide investigators have been “working tirelessly” to identify Jahkai’s killer and to bring him justice.
Anyone with information regarding this murder is urged to call the Homicide Unit at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
– With files by Jack Boland
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