Maple Express | October 11, 2026 — Toronto Community Honours 8-Year-Old Boy Killed by Stray Bullet

Source: CP24

1. Toronto community event celebrates life of 8-year-old boy killed by stray bullet

Source: CP24

A community event at Toronto's Canoe Landing Park on Saturday celebrated the life of an eight-year-old boy who was killed by a stray bullet in 2025. His mother, Holly Roy, said it was not a traditional memorial but a way of turning her family's pain into purpose, hoping the gathering — filled with music, dancing, speeches and even mascots from Toronto's pro sports teams — would reflect who her son JahVai was in life, not how he died. "What I wanted to have today was something that reflected my son. He was very athletic, full of energy, compassionate," Roy said.

JahVai was shot and killed by a stray bullet as he slept in his mother's bed in the summer of 2025 inside their apartment at 15 Martha Eaton Way, near Trethewey Drive. "My entire world changed that day," Roy told dozens of attendees, her voice breaking. "But I made the decision I would not allow the violence that took my son's life to define the life he lived. And I would not allow anger to consume the love that he leaves behind." Police later arrested three people, all minors. That year, the mayor's Youth Safety Task Force launched a summer safety plan that invested $5 million in job training, arts programs and mental health supports.

Toronto mayoral candidate Olivia Chow spoke at the event and, with Roy, released two doves into the air. She said her policy of funding youth programs had diverted some young people away from violence: "Gun violence for young people has dropped by 40 per cent. But one grieving mother is too many. Which is why we need to keep moving forwards." Her rival Brad Bradford's campaign responded that "the Mayor can't point to one number and tell residents the job is done," reiterating a promise to hire 1,000 more frontline police officers. Roy also wrote a letter to the Ontario legislature's justice committee last week, sections of which were read aloud by MPP Chris Glover, urging members to focus on programs that divert young people from crime.

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2. Canadians join international convoy delivering vehicles to Ukraine's front lines

Source: CP24

Islander Randy Garrett is back home after driving roughly 2,600 kilometres across Europe to deliver a four-wheel-drive vehicle destined for Ukraine's front lines. Garrett was one of three Canadians who joined volunteers from around the world for a recent Jeeps for Peace mission. The group has delivered about 800 4x4s, pickup trucks and ambulances to Ukraine. The vehicles are modified for military units, then used to evacuate civilians in danger, retrieve wounded soldiers and transport food and medicine. "It was tiring, but it was worth it," Garrett said at his home in Long River, P.E.I. "You had such a sense of purpose."

He took part in the organization's 18th convoy, setting out from Edinburgh, Scotland, with about 55 others. Their route included an overnight ferry crossing of the North Sea, followed by a drive through the Netherlands, Germany and Poland to the Ukrainian border. Locals helped the group navigate the crossing with 36 vehicles, packed with children's books, clothing, food and other supplies. When time allows, the missions also include visits to schools, hospitals, churches, cemeteries and memorials, as well as meetings with Ukrainian military personnel and orphanage staff. "I was very proud to be a Canadian because when they found out you're a Canadian, they just hug you twice," Garrett recalled.

More than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion, the war of attrition grinds on. In one of Moscow's latest deadly barrages, Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv and a dozen other Ukrainian regions overnight Oct. 7, killing at least 25 civilians, including five children, and wounding about 100, Ukrainian officials said. Volunteers pay their own way, covering flights, fuel and hotels; Garrett's community surprised him with $1,300 tucked inside a card full of well wishes. He shared the story of a Ukrainian woman named Alla, who lost both her home and summer home to the war and whose husband was killed in combat, yet has driven more than 90 vehicles to Ukraine. The next mission is already underway as Jeeps for Peace works toward its goal of delivering 1,000 vehicles. "Would I do it again? I would," Garrett said.

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3. A month after Mississauga comedy festival was postponed, ticket holders still await refunds

Source: CP24

Brenna Oude-Reimerink just wants her money back. A month after the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival was abruptly postponed, she says she hasn't heard a word from organizers about the $394 she spent on two VIP tickets. The festival was scheduled to happen at Erindale Park, near the University of Toronto Mississauga, from Sept. 11 to 13, with big names including Stavros Halkias, John Mulaney and Jeff Arcuri — the comedian Oude-Reimerink was most excited to see.

Oude-Reimerink bought two VIP tickets for Sept. 12 for roughly $394, which promised exclusive entry lanes and table service. "My sister and I were really looking forward to seeing him live. We've never seen him before," she told CTV News Toronto. The festival sent out an email on the morning of Sept. 7 detailing everything to know ahead of the event; a day later, organizers announced they were postponing it without a clear reason, saying only that their priority was "to deliver the best possible festival."

Oude-Reimerink learned of the postponement from an Instagram post and felt "disappointed." It took at least a full day for organizers to email ticket holders (the afternoon of Sept. 9), with an apology for communicating via social media first. She had emailed the festival requesting a full refund about an hour before that message, but as of Oct. 9 still hadn't heard back, and CTV News Toronto's repeated requests to the festival went unanswered. She isn't alone: a Reddit thread with about 80 comments included other ticket holders also seeking refunds, and vendors for a Halifax festival run by the same group in early August still hadn't been paid, with one posting Oct. 9 that they were owed more than $28,000. The festival's website states it does not provide refunds or exchanges. Richard Powers, an associate professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, said a contract is a contract and organizers may have already spent the money; the question is whether the terms were readily available at purchase, in which case buyers could pursue small claims court.

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4. Two women injured in four-vehicle collision in Brampton

Source: CP24

Two women were taken to hospital following a four-vehicle collision in Brampton late Saturday night. In an email to CP24, Peel Regional Police said officers responded to the area of Queen Street West and Highway 410 at approximately 10 p.m.

Police said two female drivers were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All roads in the area have since reopened.

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5. SIU won't charge Toronto cop who fired bean bag rounds at man holding a fork

Source: CP24

A Toronto police officer who fired bean bag rounds at a 26-year-old man holding a fork inside a hospital in June will not be charged, Ontario's police watchdog says. SIU Director Joseph Martino said in his report released Saturday that he found no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against the officer over the June 14 shooting at Scarborough Centenary Hospital.

The report detailed the interaction. The 26-year-old, referred to as the complainant, attended the hospital at 10:31 a.m. "to seek help with what he believed to be an attack on him by other worldly forces," and had armed himself with a fork before attending. Once inside, he spoke to staff and followed at least two people, including a physician, prompting staff to alert security. After returning to the lobby, two security personnel approached; he pointed his hands at the guards while brandishing the fork over his head. The guards tried to de-escalate, asking him to put the fork down. At 10:36 a.m., two Toronto police officers arrived, including the one designated the subject official (SO). The SIU said the SO armed himself with a shotgun loaded with bean bag rounds while the other officer had a Taser.

The SIU said the SO fired two bean bag rounds, causing the man to fall forward. He did not heed demands to drop the fork, became agitated and began screaming at officers. A third officer then entered the lobby, moved in behind him and Tasered him, and officers arrested him. He was diagnosed with a fracture of his sternum and placed on a Form 1 psychiatric assessment. Martino said he was satisfied the SO used only lawful force: "The complainant, who was of unsound mind at the time, was brandishing a weapon that could conceivably have been used to harm or potentially kill other persons... It is my view that the SO's choice of weapon was appropriate for the circumstances and his quick decision to attempt to incapacitate the complainant was equally appropriate." He added that while the rounds did not immediately work, they contained the complainant, and the force used was reasonably necessary.

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6. Nylander ties career high with 5 points, Maple Leafs beat Avalanche 6-3

Source: CP24

DENVER — William Nylander and Easton Cowan scored 46 seconds apart late in the second period and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-3 on Saturday night. Nylander finished with two goals and a career-high three assists for five points, also tying a career high. Auston Matthews had two goals and two assists for Toronto, which has alternated wins and losses to start the season.

Nathan MacKinnon scored twice for Colorado, which suffered its first loss in three home games. Brock Nelson also scored and Mackenzie Blackwood had 16 saves in his first setback of the season. The Avs finished 0 of 5 on the power play, which included eight seconds of a 5-on-3 early in the second period. After Nick Blankenburg gave the Leafs a 1-0 lead 3:03 into the game, MacKinnon tied it midway through the first and put Colorado ahead at 15:14.

Nylander tied it 19 seconds after Jaden Schwartz took a high-sticking minor early in the second — the first power-play goal the Avs allowed this season. Nelson scored off his own rebound to give Colorado a 3-2 lead before Toronto grabbed control: Nylander's second of the night tied it at 16:47, and Cowan scored a one-timer off a Morgan Reilly pass to give the Leafs the lead at 17:33. Matthews made it 5-3 with a power-play goal midway through the third and sealed it with an empty-netter in the final minute. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 shots. Avalanche forward Logan O'Connor was away from the team following the sudden passing of his father, former NHL defenseman Myles O'Connor. The Maple Leafs wrap up their three-game trip at Utah on Tuesday night; the Avalanche are at Dallas on Tuesday night.

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7. 'Bittersweet': Gradey Dick faces Raptors for first time since blockbuster trade

Source: CP24

Gradey Dick repeated one word to describe the feeling ahead of his first game against the team that drafted him in 2023 — "bittersweet." Part of a package sent from the Toronto Raptors to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for aging superstar Kawhi Leonard, Dick suited up against the Raptors in pre-season action at Rogers Arena on Saturday. He played 13 minutes, registering four points, in the Clippers' 114-106 loss to the Raptors.

The Raptors sent Dick, Brandon Ingram, two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round picks in exchange for Leonard. Toronto selected Dick 13th overall in the 2023 draft; he averaged 20 minutes and 9.2 points per game over three seasons in Canada. "It makes me think about the last three years," the 22-year-old said. "It's kind of bittersweet, but at the same time, it's NBA basketball." Dick grew up and played high school and collegiate basketball in Kansas: "Me being from Kansas and going all the way out to Toronto, the first time I'm living away from my family. (Toronto) kind of welcomed me with open arms all the way. That's why it's kind of bittersweet."

The trade faced complications, with the Clippers and Raptors opting not to conclude the deal until the NBA had finished its salary cap circumvention investigation into the Clippers; the league opened its file in September into whether a $28 million endorsement contract involving Leonard broke league rules. The 35-year-old Leonard is working his way back to fitness and is not expected to play in the short term, coming off the highest-scoring season of his career (27.9 points per game in 65 games). Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said he is looking for Dick to become more consistent from the three-point line (38 to 40 per cent); Dick shot 36 per cent in his first season but dipped to 30 per cent by the time he left Toronto. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said he and Dick texted on Friday to catch up, calling him one of the most talented players in his draft class.

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8. Canada's Taylor Ruck wins women's 200m backstroke gold at swimming World Cup

Source: CP24

TASHKENT — Taylor Ruck wrapped up the second stop of the three-meet World Aquatics Swimming World Cup series with a podium-topping performance for Canada on Saturday. The 26-year-old from Kelowna, B.C., won gold in the women's 200-metre backstroke in two minutes 2.41 seconds. Anna Peplowski of the United States was second in 2:02.71, while Japan's Waka Kobori was third in 2:06.99.

A four-time Olympic medallist, Ruck also captured silver in both the women's 100-metre backstroke and 50-metre freestyle earlier in the week. Canada finished with seven medals in Tashkent — one gold, three silver and three bronze. The World Cup series concludes next week in Kazakhstan.

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9. Poland's police warn of a possible plot to attack Prime Minister Donald Tusk

Source: CP24

WARSAW, Poland — Poland's police said Sunday they received information about a possible plot to attack Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Security services, police and representatives of the Interior Ministry were scheduled to hold an emergency meeting starting at 11 a.m. (0900 GMT) Sunday, said Karolina Galecka, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry.

In September, Tusk warned about likely intensified hybrid attacks by Russia on NATO's eastern flank, saying Russia was planning strikes with drones or rockets on European countries supporting Ukraine, among them Poland, with the goal of weakening Western support for Kyiv. Moscow has denied any such plans. No more information about the reported plot was immediately available. Polish authorities were on high alert this week after three school attacks within four days in Mazovia province in central Poland, where capital Warsaw is located.

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10. Nine dead in Pennsylvania shooting, including 2 children and a pregnant woman

Source: CP24

A man killed eight people including a pregnant woman, children and other relatives at his home in Erie, Pennsylvania, before taking his own life as well, authorities said Saturday. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said the 45-year-old man was related to seven of the victims, while the eighth was a friend of the pregnant woman.

Video and audio evidence recovered by investigators included muffled gunshot sounds coming from inside the home just before two "distressed" women arrived and began pounding on the door shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, he said. The gunman then came out and shot them as they ran toward him, before returning inside. Police arrived to find the two women dead outside; after deploying a drone and robot, they went inside and found the bodies of a 5-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl on the first floor, two more women and two young men in a stairwell, and the shooter on the second floor. Lorah declined to discuss motive but said investigators would talk to other relatives and examine the cellphones of the women killed outside: "They knew something was going on at that house. We have to figure out what that is." He said officers arrived within minutes of an alert via ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said he offered his administration's "full support" to Erie Mayor Daria Devlin, who spoke directly to the victims' families. District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz urged the public to refrain from speculation as the investigation continues. Erie is about 120 miles (190 kilometres) north of Pittsburgh. Speaking at a campaign rally outside Philadelphia, Shapiro mentioned both the Erie killings and the shooting of two Philadelphia police officers early Saturday, saying "today has been a dark day across this commonwealth." The Associated Press later updated its story to correct the number of people killed in the shooting to eight, not including the shooter.

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