Jane Creba Murder Timeline

December 26, 2005
Approx. 5pm
One day after Christmas as the stores reopen, throngs of bargain hunters are forced to duck on Yonge near Dundas as bullets ring out on both sides of the thoroughfare. Rival gang members at war with each other take their battle to the streets, firing randomly despite the crowd. By the time the violence ends, Jane Creba is dead and six others – four men and two women – are wounded.

Approx. 6:45pm
Police collar two men, one toting a gun, at the Castle Frank Subway Station. Twenty-year-old Andree Thompson was on probation when he was arrested. A 17-year-old young offender is also taken into custody. But cops aren’t sure if either man allegedly pulled the trigger on the gun that killed Creba. They believe as many as 10-15 people were involved. And they pledge to hunt them all down.

December 29, 2005
Despite being off on their Christmas break, many of Jane Creba’s friends show up at Riverdale Collegiate for a special remembrance to their fallen friend, as a steady memorial stream of flowers, candles and cards marks the spot of the murder.

March 15, 2006
Police issue security video of a man dressed in a unique tan jumpsuit caught on camera at the Eaton Centre just before the shooting. He was also spotted transporting one of the wounded to hospital before he disappeared. Cops call the man a “key witness”, although there’s widespread speculation that he’s much more than that. Despite their appeal, the man does not come forward.

May 16, 2006
As police work behind the scenes amidst public pressure to effect an arrest, a $50,000 reward is unveiled for anyone who can provide a key clue about suspects in the case. “A number of people with information have yet to come forward,” Staff Inspector Brian Raybould complains. He’s hoping the money helps loosen some shut lips.

June 13, 2006
The big break. Amid rumours first reported on BreakfastTelevision that some early morning raids may be connected to the Creba case, Chief Bill Blair calls a press conference to confirm cops have arrested eight people in connection with the notorious crime.

The suspects were all taken by surprise. “I am very pleased to be able to tell you today that in the early hours of this morning, with the assistance of officers of the O.P.P., eight people have now been charged in relation to the murder of Jane Creba,” Blair intoned at a morning press conference.

Two adults and a young offender each face one count of second degree murder and six of attempted murder. Four others and a second young offender are accused of manslaughter. Two of those collared were among those wounded in the shooting, and another was the mysterious man in the tan jumpsuit authorities had been seeking as a ‘witness’.

All are said to be members of two different street gangs.

“This has been a very long and painstaking investigation,” the Chief revealed. “We have been determined to identify, to arrest and charge those individuals whom we believe to be responsible for this attack on public safety.”

Seventeen others – including several young offenders – also face a variety of other gun and drug charges related to the shooting spree. They were taken in during the raids, but their families complain they are being lumped in with those accused of the killings.

June 14, 2006
A 17-year-old young offender turns himself in to police the day after the raids. He’s charged with manslaughter.

June 30, 2006
Amid a veil of secrecy, a young offender charged in the case is released on $100,000 bail. His lawyer insists it was the right move. “If members of the public had been allowed or had been here and had heard the evidence at this bail hearing then most of the members of the public would not be shocked that he was released,” argues Gordon Goldman. “I don’t think he has come within ten feet of a weapon in his life.”

July 6, 2006
An adult and a 17-year-old young offender charged in the killing are both set free on bail. The conditions of Andrew Smith’s release are protected by a publication ban. He’s facing manslaughter charges in the incident. He maintains he’s innocent and vows “the truth will come out.”

The releases spark a new wave of public anger. “I think the Canadian justice system is totally out of whack,” said one local. “I mean these people have no clue what they’re doing at all.”

But Smith’s lawyer maintains the case against his client is so weak that he shouldn’t have been charged in the first place.

On August 28th, the controversy becomes moot, as Smith’s bail is revoked and he’s ordered back into custody. But because of the publication gag, no one will say why.

November 8, 2006
As the number of suspects charged in the case swells, a new name is added, with the arrest of 24-year-old Jeremiah Valentine. He’s not unknown to police – he was facing drug charges at the time he was taken in and had a gun on him.

Cops were looking for him before the Boxing Day shooting but couldn’t find him. They will only say ‘information’ led to the new charges and it turns out he had been in custody on other offences since January.

Valentine has a lengthy criminal record that involves guns, drugs and violence. Previous charges against him include possession of restricted firearms, trafficking in cocaine, and multiple robberies.

November 23, 2006
Prime Minister Stephen Harper cites the Creba case to promise tougher gun control laws and more severe penalties for those caught using weapons in the commission of a crime. In an unusual triumvirate, he stands alongside Mayor David Miller and Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty as a show of strength against gangs and their guns.

“Between the three of us, we pretty much cover the political spectrum, but today we are partisans for the same cause,” he relates. “Ever since the Yonge Street shootout that killed 15-year-old Jane Creba last Boxing Day, the premier and the mayor have been pressing Ottawa for these reforms.”

The so-called ‘reverse onus’ bill is introduced that same day in the House of Commons. It will force those accused to prove why they should be released on bail.

December 21, 2006
As the first anniversary of that terrible day approaches, the parents of Jane Creba issue their first statement in almost a year. It shows the same incredible strength and class the family has exhibited since the day of the shooting.

“The family wants to express our sincere thanks to the countless Canadians for the continued messages of warmth and goodwill as the holiday season approaches,” it reads in part. “We feel they express true warmth, compassion and spirit in our community and city .

“May peace and joy be with you.”

It also asks for privacy on the anniversary.

December 26, 2006
The entire city remembers Creba, the final victim of the Year of the Gun.

February 8, 2006
The man police believe was the actual target in the Creba shooting enters a surprise plea in court to weapons and drug charges. It’s believed the theft of 22-year-old Richard Steele’s cell phone may have sparked the shooting. 

April 24, 2007
A judge rules Richard Steele must take the witness stand against the men accused of killing the Toronto school girl. He begins lashing out in a torrent of objections when the ruling his delivered. His lawyer vehemently agrees. “He felt that he will be killed if he takes the stand and that’s a legitimate fear,” argues Selwyn Pieters. But the ruling stands.

June 8, 2007
Steele serves his time and is released, amid fears his coming testimony may put his life in jeopardy. “The cops want me dead,” he contends. “A lot of people want me dead. I’m between a rock and a hard place right now the way it’s looking but I’m not running away.”

December 7, 2008
The trial of a young offender known only as JSR concludes. He is found guilty of second degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and five counts of weapons violations in connection with Creba’s death. Though the bullets fired from his gun did not kill her, the Crown alleged that he was on Yonge Street December 26 with the intent to kill someone.

April 8, 2009
The Crown reads a victim impact statement from Jane Creba’s family during closing arguments in the sentencing trial of JSR. In it, they acknowledge, “The impact of Jane’s death on the family was and continues to be deep and profound.”

April 24, 2008
Justice Ian Nordheimer sentences JSR as an adult, giving him life in prison with no chance of parole for seven years. The 21-year-old’s name is released to the public as Jorrell Simpson-Rowe.

Nov. 23, 2009

Andre Thompson, Shaun Thompson, Vincent Davis and Andrew Smith are all acquitted of manslaughter after the Crown concluded it didn’t have a reasonable prospect of conviction.

Dec. 22, 2009

Jeremiah Valentine pleads guilty to second-degree murder. He was given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 12 years.

Jan. 12, 2010

Young man, who can only be identified as G.C. is found not-guilty of manslaughter in the case.

April 1, 2010

Louis Woodcock and Tyshaun Barnett are convicted of manslaughter and four counts of aggravated assault.