Charges laid in shooting death of 14-year-old girl

Toronto police charged a 13-year-old boy with manslaughter and an 18 year-old man with criminal negligence in connection to the death of 14-year-old Lecent Ross.

Petrie said that he was not ruling out the possibility that someone else at the residence fired the weapon, adding that the gun recovered was a 40-calibre Smith and Wesson handgun with a “very short barrel” that it is considered a “prohibited weapon”.

Minors who are criminally charged cannot legally be identified and police say releasing the 18-year-old’s name could reveal the younger teen’s identity.

Staff Sgt. Andy Schneider told Global News the charges had been laid but would not say what the specific charges were. “That’s the thing we want to drive to the community”.

Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner would not discuss any details about evidence in the case, including who pulled the trigger and whether the shooting was the result of an accident.

Ross’ family also spoke at the press conference, where they called for an end to gun violence.

“She was supposed to start Grade 9 in September. She had her whole future to look forward to”, Charles Amos-Ross said.

Witnesses are asked to contact police at 416-808-2300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS).