Jahkai Jack Obituary, Death News – Toronto police have officially identified the 15-year-old boy who was killed in a weekend shooting in the Weston neighborhood. The victim, Jahkai Jack, was shot around 10 p.m. on Saturday near Emmett Avenue and Jane Street.
When officers responded to the scene, they found Jack suffering from a gunshot wound. He was quickly transported to a hospital, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The tragic loss has sparked concern across the city, particularly about emergency response times.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow addressed public concern over how long it took for someone to get through to 911 after the shooting. According to Chow, the person who called for help waited six minutes and 42 seconds before speaking with an emergency operator. She stated that such a delay is “not acceptable.”
The mayor also shared a timeline of the response, noting that the 911 call came in at 10:01 p.m., and paramedics arrived at the scene at 10:11 p.m., roughly ten minutes after the call was made. While response time by paramedics met standard goals, the initial wait to reach an operator has raised alarms. Deputy Chief Melanie Jordison of Toronto Paramedic Services confirmed that the lengthy wait is being investigated to understand what went wrong.
In response to the growing concerns about delayed emergency services, Mayor Chow introduced a new staffing proposal aimed at improving response times across the city. The plan includes hiring 362 new paramedic service staff by the end of 2028, with 331 of those positions designated for frontline paramedics. In addition, the city is actively working to recruit 90 new 911 call operators to help reduce wait times for emergency assistance.
Jahkai Jack’s death marks the 14th homicide in Toronto so far this year. Police say the suspect in the shooting fled the scene and has not yet been apprehended. At this time, law enforcement has not released any physical description of the suspect and continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Toronto Police Service is urging anyone with information that could help identify or locate the suspect to come forward. Individuals can contact police directly at 416-808-7400 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or via the Crime Stoppers website.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life and looks for answers in a case that highlights both the tragedy of gun violence and the importance of swift emergency response. City officials are pledging to take necessary steps to improve public safety and emergency response systems moving forward.
