As two suspects remain at large in connection with the tragic shooting death of 8-year-old JahVai Roy, community members, activists, and family members have united once again to advocate for an end to gun violence. The rally, organized by various community groups, took place at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday afternoon, attracting hundreds of participants from across the city. They carried signs and photos commemorating their loved ones as they marched to Queen's Park.

Keith Sweeney, a representative from the Zero Gun Violence Movement, emphasized the underlying causes of violence, stating, “We know the roots of violence—poverty in the communities, not having access to jobs, and a lack of resources for people in the community. So now it’s time that we start to make something happen and rally together.”

This rally occurred shortly after Toronto police announced the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect, charged with first-degree murder in connection with Roy's shooting. JahVai was killed on August 16 while lying in bed with his mother in their North York apartment. Authorities continue to seek two additional suspects, aged 17 and 18.

Holly Roy, JahVai’s mother, called for solidarity, saying, “We need to stand up together in solidarity as a city, as a community, as parents, people who have lost their loved ones, because nobody is immune to gun violence.”

Advocates at the rally noted that the youth involved in such extreme violence is a growing concern. Marcell Wilson, the founder of the One By One Movement, reflected on the issue, stating, “Extreme violence is being committed by younger and younger people. And JahVai is one of the youngest, the youngest member of my organization, so it kinda hits home extremely deep for us.”

Rita Asare, executive director of the Black Action Defense Committee, expressed the need for preventative measures, saying, “Yes, they’re younger folks. What does support even look like when they are incarcerated or when they come out? Prevention is better than cure, so really focusing on the prevention pieces so this cycle can stop.”

Wilson further called on the government and various sectors to collaborate effectively, saying, “We’re calling on the government, the different sectors of government, to work together, to work with the community and with us in a tangible way, in a way that shows actual results. We need to start collecting the data properly and stop working in silos.”

There is a growing consensus among community leaders that achieving lasting change is a collective responsibility. “We all have to start looking out for each other. My mentor, Louis March, used to say, ‘I’m going to keep doing this until there is no gun violence in Rexdale like there is in Rosedale.’ We need to start looking at zero gun violence as possible, but we have to be the champions of that,” Sweeney added.