Memorial held for Toronto boy shot and killed by stray bullet in 2025

Javier Roy would have turned 10 this Thanksgiving at this event to commemorate him, his presence only in spirit. It's been just over a year since he was killed by a stray bullet while lying in bed with his mom, who now wants to turn her grief into purpose. I don't want people to focus on the way my son died. I want to celebrate him. I want to celebrate his life. So did his schoolmates, who performed in his honor wearing blue gloves, his favorite color. He had a lot of personality. His clothes were very nice. He had such a style. My friends and us, we used to play tag with him and stuff. We used to play together with my friends. He did no harm to anybody, and it's just disappointing. And I enjoyed being on stage to perform for him. Three teens were charged in connection to his death, With this day celebrating his life, built around sending a message to kids that violence is never the answer. With motivational speakers, mascots from major teams and athletes. I see it as an opportunity for the kids to start what they're looking for in the future. Get hands-on. We're trying to motivate them and push them to be the best of the version that they can be. At just eight years old, Javier knew about the issue of gun violence before his life was taken away from it. attending anti-gun rallies with his mom and her friends. I was shot in 2019 and to have this little guy so powerfully walking in the marches with us, yelling out the chants and things, and then for him to be gone, I really wish we didn't have to have today at all. It's like bittersweet, you know, because Javay will always be eight. And it hurts deeply, but the way he loved and the way I love, I know I'm going to see him again someday. And I just know that he wants me to continue, you know, doing good in the community like we did together. Nama Weingarten, CBC News, Toronto.