Community mourns teen killed in Danzig neighbourhood shooting

A 17-year-old boy is dead after he was shot in the Danzig Street neighbourhood in the city’s east end.

Police were called to a housing complex on Danzig, near Morningside Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East, just after 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

The teen was found on the ground in front of a townhouse and rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He later died in hospital.

Police said reports indicate a suspect was seen leaving in a car.

So far, no suspect description has been released and no arrest has been made.

Teachers identified the slain teen as Jaydin Simpson, and say he had just graduated from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute.

“Jaydin had such a bright future ahead of him,” said teacher Andrew Buchoon. “He had a smile on his face for everything, whether it was being on the gym playing basketball or the fact that he graduated from high school and he’s accomplished that milestone in his life.”

A teen girl who knew Jayden called him a “great kid” and said he always smiling.

“He did go by Juicy J. — that’s what everyone called him here. That was a great name.”

“He was actually funny and he loved being around people,” she added. “He was a good student … he was very focused.”

The shooting happened at the same housing complex on Danzig where there was a mass shooting during a neighbourhood block party and barbecue in 2012 that left a 14-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man dead, and injured 22 other people.

Editor’s Note: This story corrects the spelling of the victim’s name, which was confirmed by police on June 30