The First Anniversary Of The Most Notorious Crime In Recent Toronto History Dawns

Update, Aug. 1, 2023: Names of those charged with anything other than murder or manslaughter have been removed from this article.

And it changed this city forever.

It was exactly a year ago that the very last victim of Toronto’s Year Of the Gun met a tragic end in the most unthinkable of places – the Boxing Day crowds on the Yonge St. strip.

Jane Creba was out with her family doing the same thing thousands of others were attempting just after 5pm that day – hunting for bargains. But no one bargained on the violence that would take her life.

As the 15-year-old stood outside a shoe store near Yonge and Dundas, shots rang out from all directions. By the time their echo had subsided along the busy route, six people lay wounded and Creba was dead.

She became the second youngest victim of a year filled with senseless gun violence – a drive-by shooting that wounded four year-old Shaquan Cadougan in August 2005 marked the most innocent of all the victims – and a symbol that things had to change.

A permanent memorial is up at Riverdale Collegiate where the popular Grade 10 athlete attended school and her parents issued a statement late last week pleading for privacy as the grim anniversary approached.

Police believe a war between rival gangs was behind the terrible incident, and they were appalled at the lack of concern for where the battle took place.

Security video from the nearby Eaton Centre would later show some of those authorities believed were responsible, and the incident may have been sparked by an argument that occurred in the mall.

Eight people have since been charged directly in the terrible crime. Two adults and a teen are facing second degree and attempted murder charges, while four other adults and another teen are charged with manslaughter.

Others are accused of drugs and weapons charges.

The tragedy was just one of many catalysts that lit a fire under police, who put together a major Guns and Gangs Task Force that resulted in the dismantling of many of the violent organizations and a much quieter 2006.

Even 365 days later, the outrageous crime isn’t far from the mind of Chief Bill Blair.

“[It’s] a very sad anniversary for the city of Toronto as well as that family,” he agrees. “I don’t think it’s a day that any of us will forget. But we’ve learned a great deal from that and we’ve worked hard to bring the people responsible for that shooting to justice.”

And while a slew of suspects are facing a range of charges surrounding the case, authorities believe they can never be prepared enough for the court cases that will follow.

“We are going to continue to work right up until the day of trial to make sure that we gather every possible piece of evidence that might be available to us to bring that to a successful conclusion,” he vows. “They are absolutely committed to bringing the individuals responsible for that violence to justice in every one of these tragic cases.”

Three closed circuit cameras now keep an unblinking eye on the area where the young girl was killed, and police hope they will act as both a silent witness and a major deterrent. They’ll remain in place until at least January 7th.

“If some fool chooses to commit a violent crime in those places, then those cameras will provide us with outstanding evidence in order to prosecute them,” the Chief suggests.

A small memorial marked the spot where the crime took place on Tuesday, a far cry from the massive outpouring of flowers, candles, teddy bears and notes that filled the area a year ago.

But as shoppers wandered the busy strip 365 days later, Creba wasn’t far from the minds of many. Stuart MacDonald was on Yonge St. that day. “It was scary,” he remembers. “And all of a sudden an ambulance went flying by. It was a girl driving it and I thought, jeez, she’s really flying, and then another one, another one.”

Do those who braved the street on the day after Christmas feel more secure now than they did last year? Some do, others don’t.

“I think this year is better because there’s more safety I guess, more police around,” suggests a shopper named Lisa.

Some of those officers made their presence felt Tuesday, while others were undercover keeping watch, testimony to a changed city that few would have thought possible at this time last year.

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.

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Here’s the full list of those who were originally arrested and charged in connection to the Boxing Day shootout.

Jeremiah Valentine

Age: 24

Charges:

Second Degree Murder

Five counts of Attempt Murder

Tyshaun Barnett

Age: 19

Charges:

Second Degree Murder,

Six counts of Attempt Murder,

Traffic in Firearms,

Conspiracy to Traffic in Firearms.

Louis Woodcock

Age: 19

Charges:

Second Degree Murder,

Six counts of Attempt Murder.

Young Offender

Age: 17

Charges:

Second Degree Murder,

Six counts of Attempt Murder.

Young Offender

Age: 17

Charges:

Manslaughter.

Young Offender

Age: 17

Charges:

Manslaughter.

Andrew Smith

Age: 20

Charges:

Manslaughter,

Conspiracy to Traffic in Firearms.

Andre Thompson

Age: 20

Charges:

Manslaughter

Vincent Davis

Age: 25

Manslaughter.

Shaun Thompson

Age: 21

Manslaughter.