Crown drops charges in fatal 2025 Mount Dennis shooting of Jahkai Jack, 15
Abdul Yeberebaba faced second-degree murder charges in the teen's death. Prosecutor cited insufficient prospect of conviction.
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The Crown has withdrawn murder charges against a man accused of fatally shooting a 15-year-old boy in Toronto's Mount Dennis neighbourhood more than a year ago.
Abdul Yeberebaba had been charged with second-degree murder in the June 7, 2025 death of Jahkai Jack near Emmett Avenue and Jane Street. Charges against two alleged accomplices—Jayden Samuel-James and Rajveer Singh Gill—have also been withdrawn.
Crown attorney David Newton said there wasn't a reasonable prospect of conviction in the case. "The Crown has an obligation at all stages of the prosecution to continually assess both the public interest in the prosecution and its prospect of conviction," Newton said. "Where that prospect of conviction is less than reasonable the Crown has an obligation to end that prosecution."
According to Toronto police, Jack and some friends went to the area of Buttonwood Avenue and Charlton Settlement Avenue around 10:30 p.m. that night, where they met another group. One male from that group began a verbal exchange with Jack before pulling out a gun and shooting the teenager, who later died in hospital. Police said the shooting was unprovoked.
Toronto Police Service spokesperson Stephanie Sayer said police are aware of the Crown's decision. "The Toronto Police Service laid charges based on the evidence available at the time and reasonable grounds to believe the accused had committed the offences," Sayer said. "Ultimately, the decision about whether a prosecution proceeds rests with the Crown."
The facts
Who was charged in Jahkai Jack's death?
Abdul Yeberebaba was charged with second-degree murder in the June 7, 2025 death of 15-year-old Jahkai Jack in Toronto's Mount Dennis neighbourhood. Two alleged accomplices, Jayden Samuel-James and Rajveer Singh Gill, were also charged.
Why were the charges withdrawn?
Crown attorney David Newton said there was not a reasonable prospect of conviction in the case, citing the Crown's obligation to end prosecution when that prospect falls below reasonable.
What happened the night Jahkai Jack was shot?
Around 10:30 p.m. on June 7, 2025, Jahkai Jack and friends went to the area of Buttonwood Avenue and Charlton Settlement Avenue in Mount Dennis, where they met another group. One male from that group began a verbal exchange with Jack before pulling out a gun and shooting him unprovoked; Jack later died in hospital.
