Teenager Released on Bail in Connection to Mass Shooting in Etobicoke

A 16-year-old boy who was 14 at the time of a mass shooting at a gathering in Etobicoke on June 2, 2024, has been released on bail after the Crown stayed two first-degree murder and seven attempted murder charges. The prosecution cited lack of evidence for a reasonable prospect of conviction. The boy pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the shooting and to possessing a loaded firearm and a stolen vehicle.

The shooting occurred when three suspects drove into the high school parking lot in a stolen dark grey Ford F150 pickup truck, where the victims were socializing and playing dominoes. One of the suspects pulled out an automatic firearm and discharged about 23 rounds of 9 mm cartridges, striking five victims. The teen, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested after fleeing the scene with a loaded handgun.

Key Takeaways:

• The Crown stayed two first-degree murder and seven attempted murder charges against the 16-year-old boy due to lack of evidence for a reasonable prospect of conviction.
• The boy pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the shooting and to possessing a loaded firearm and a stolen vehicle.
• The shooting occurred on June 2, 2024, in the high school parking lot of North Albion Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke.
• Three suspects drove into the parking lot in a stolen dark grey Ford F150 pickup truck, where they discharged about 23 rounds of 9 mm cartridges, striking five victims.
• The boy was arrested after fleeing the scene with a loaded handgun and was released on bail pending sentencing.
• The victims who died in the shooting were Delroy (George) Parkes, 61, and Seymour Gibbs, 46.
• The teen, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, will continue to reside at home under the condition of remaining at home except when attending school.
• A sentencing hearing will be held later this year.

Statistics:

• 23: The number of rounds of 9 mm cartridges discharged by the suspects during the shooting.
• 5: The number of victims struck by bullets in the shooting.
• 2: The number of first-degree murder charges stayed by the Crown.
• 7: The number of attempted murder charges stayed by the Crown.
• 16: The age of the boy at the time of release on bail.
• 14: The age of the boy at the time of the shooting.
• 1,000: The amount of money pledged by the boy's mom and another surety as bail.

Sources:

• [www.thestar.com]