Det. Sgt. Jason Davis provides an update to reporters about what police know so far.
Toronto police are investigating after an eight-year-old boy was killed by gunfire while sleeping inside his North York home early Saturday morning.
Police say officers responded to reports of gunshots near Martha Eaton Way and Trethewey Drive just before 12:30 a.m.
When they arrived, officers found an eight-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to hospital in an emergency run, where he was later pronounced dead.
Speaking at the scene, Det. Sgt. Jason Davis revealed to reporters that the boy was inside his home, in bed, when he was struck by a “stray bullet.”
TPS Toronto police Det. Sgt. Jason Davis speaks to reporters on Saturday August 16, 2025 (CP24 photo).
“He was in his home, the safest place that you can be with your family, in bed when he was struck by a stray bullet,” Davis said, calling the shooting “an unimaginably tragic incident.”
Police said two other units in the building were also hit by gunfire, though no additional injuries were reported.
Authorities have not released any suspect information.
“Every resource available in the city is being allocated to this right now,” police said. “We’re asking anybody with information to please come forward.”
‘Gun violence must end,’ says Chow
Mayor Olivia Chow shared her thoughts in the hours following the incident, calling for the “end” of gun violence in the city.
In a statement, she says “My heart goes out to their family, loved ones and the entire community…The gun violence must end in our city.”
She also says she has spoken with Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw, adding that police are using “all resources” to find those responsible.
Olivia Chow Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow speaks at a National Day to End Gun Violence ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square earlier this year (CP24 file photo). ‘An unimaginable loss’
In a post to social media, officials from the Toronto Police Association also chimed in and framed the incident as an “unimaginable loss.”
“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the eight-year-old boy tragically killed in North York early Saturday morning.”
In a post to his own social account, Chief Demkiw didn’t hold back, also urging those responsible to “get lawyers and turn yourself in.”
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the eight-year-old boy tragically killed in North York early Saturday morning. This is an unimaginable loss.
We commend our brave members who responded to the scene and our Homicide Squad as they work to investigate this… https://t.co/moSvBtkPJL
— Toronto Police Association (@TPAca) August 16, 2025