A teenager has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of an eight-year-old boy who was struck by a stray bullet while lying in bed in his North York apartment last month.

JahVai Roy was lying in bed with his mother when he was struck inside his apartment near Martha Eaton Way and Trethewey Drive just after midnight on Aug. 16. 

He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said at a news conference Wednesday that the teenager, who was 15 years old at the time of the shooting, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and five firearm offences. He is now 16.

He was arrested on Friday, police said.

When he was arrested, police allege he was in possession of a loaded firearm which was modified to allow it to fire automatically.

Headshots of two Black male teens.Ibrahim Ibrahim (left) and Amarii Lindner (right) are both wanted for first-degree murder. (Toronto Police Service)

Two other youth suspects remain outstanding, Demkiw said. 

Ibrahim Ibrahim, 17, and Amarii Lindner, 18, both of Toronto, are wanted for first-degree murder. Lindner was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, police said. 

Demkiw is encouraging Ibrahim and Lindner to turn themselves in to police and is asking anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

“If you know where they are and are found to be harbouring them or aiding them in any way, we will investigate and lay charges as appropriate,” he said.

WATCH | Police lay charges: 

Teen charged with murder in stray-bullet death of 8-year-old boy

A teenager has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of eight-year-old JahVai Roy, who was struck by a stray bullet last month, Toronto police confirmed Wednesday. The 16-year-old also faces five firearm offences.

Det.-Sgt. Jason Davis, a member of the police’s homicide and missing persons unit, said that although Roy was not the intended target, the shooting is believed to have been planned, so the first-degree-murder chargers remain the same.

He believes the two other suspects remain in the city.

Arrest ‘bittersweet,’ victim’s mother says

Holly Roy, mother of JahVai, said in an interview with CBC Toronto on Wednesday that she is relieved at the arrest.

“The police did promise me that they were using all resources and I felt it in my spirit, in my heart, that we would get that little piece of justice,” Roy said.

“It’s bittersweet. There’s still a lot to do. That’s one little piece of justice. It doesn’t take the pain away. It’s not going to bring my son back. It’s a little bit of a relief.”

Roy said she is grateful for community support since his death.

“Trying to navigate this unnatural loss has been extremely hard and I can’t imagine doing it on my own. I’m just thankful for everybody, the city, the outpouring of love — it really keeps me present,” she said.

“I really want to honour my son’s memory by being strong. But I shouldn’t have to be strong. Nobody should have to be strong. But I’m going to honour his little spirit like that and make change and make changes in his name.”

White Acura was suspect’s car, police say

Late last month, police released images of a white Acura seen fleeing the scene before officers arrived and that investigators said may be connected to the case. Police confirmed Wednesday that the car was the suspect’s car. 

The shooting has prompted calls to action against gun violence in the city, including a petition calling on all levels of government to make changes in the way they deal with gun violence.