‘Almost unimaginable’: 13-year-old boy charged in shooting death of 15-year-old

Toronto police have charged a 13-year-old boy with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 15-year-old.

The teen was found with life-threatening injuries in the underground parking garage of an apartment complex in the Gamble and Pape avenues area of East York on Wednesday night just after 11:30 p.m.

He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

It’s not known at this point why the teen – a student at Lakeshore Collegiate in Etobicoke – was in East York. Those that know him believe the avid skateboarder was getting together with others who shared the same interest. They add he was well-liked and his death is a surprise.

Students at his school say that guns and violence have become the norm in their surroundings.

“This is a devastating incident for our communities and the families that are related to the two involved,” said homicide Detective Sgt. Rob Choe who added two handguns have been recovered and no other suspects are being sought.

The 13-year-old cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Staff Superintendent Lauren Pogue said the involvement of children so young is “almost unimaginable.”

“As a community we should be devastated. It is a sad and unfortunate example of the proliferation of handguns in our city.”

The teen’s death is the eighth homicide of 2022, at least seven of which are related to gun violence.

“While not evident in this recent homicide, the service is focused on two other key contributors to violence in this city – gang activity and illicit drug trade,” said Pogue.

With files from Michael Ranger

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story had identified the 15-year-old. His name has since been removed at the request of the family under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.