Woman fatally shot in east end identified as outreach worker, man charged was out on statutory release

Alisha Brooks, a 34-year-old woman fatally shot near Danforth Avenue over the weekend, is being described as a caring outreach worker and mother as CityNews confirms the man charged in her death was out on statutory release.

Toronto police officers were called to a residence on Jones Avenue, south of Danforth Avenue, at 7 p.m. on Sunday for a shooting.

When they arrived, they found a woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Life-saving measures were performed, and she was taken to a trauma centre, where she was later pronounced dead.

Police identified the victim as Brooks, 34, from Toronto.

A man was taken into custody, and a firearm was recovered at the scene. He was later identified as 33-year-old Aaron Shea of Toronto. He’s facing a first-degree murder charge.

CityNews confirmed that Shea and Brooks were in a relationship and that the accused was a convicted criminal out on statutory release at the time of the fatal shooting.

“Our thoughts are with the victim and their family during this difficult time. We are aware of the charges that have been laid against Aaron Shea and that he is in custody,” a Corrections Service Canada (CSC) spokesperson said in a statement. “While it is not common for such an incident to occur at a Community Residential Facility, it is a serious and tragic incident, and it is important that it be thoroughly reviewed to fully examine the circumstances around what happened.”

The circumstances leading up to the shooting are unclear.

Site of shooting described as transitional housing for men completing prison sentences

A Children’s Aid Foundation spokesperson tells CityNews that Brooks volunteered as a youth ambassador with the organization. The 34-year-old mother spent years in the foster care system and dedicated her life to helping kids. 

She was employed at Delta Family in Rexdale and served marginalized communities, focusing on aiding refugees.

“Alisha has been a valued member of our community for many years. She was a former member of our Young People’s Advisory Council (YPAC) and, more recently, served as a youth ambassador for the Foundation,” the spokesperson said in a statement to CityNews. “Throughout her time with us, Alisha demonstrated remarkable passion and commitment to advocating for children and youth in care. She was an inspiring voice for change and a source of motivation for everyone who had the privilege to work alongside her.

“We are deeply saddened by this senseless loss. Her contributions to the Foundation have been significant, and her impact on our work and community will not be forgotten,” the statement concluded.

The address where the shooting occurred is 419 Jones Avenue, a residence belonging to the criminal justice outreach organization John Howard Society of Toronto. The non-profit organization offers counselling, community involvement, and employment “that reduce the social, economic and personal costs of crime” for “federally sentenced males 18 years and older on conditional release from a penitentiary.”

“As this matter is under investigation, we are referring all media calls to Toronto Police Services,” a spokesperson for the John Howard Society of Toronto said.

Neighbours said that while the halfway house has never been the site of violence, they are shaken by what transpired. 

“I’ve been texting with the neighbours, ensuring everyone is okay. A lot of young families [are] here too, so it’s not nice when something like this happens in your neighbourhood,” said one resident. “You feel a little on edge.”