Five arrested, including two youths, in April Brampton school shooting that killed two

Peel Regional Police have arrested and charged five suspects in connection with a double homicide on Brampton school grounds on April 3 that left an adult male and a male youth dead.

Officers responded to reports of gunfire near Rutherford Road and Kennedy Road, close to St. Joachim Elementary School and Arnott Charlton Public School at approximately 10:21 p.m. When they arrived, police found an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. A second victim, a male youth, was located nearby near Weybridge Trail, also suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite emergency efforts, both died.

Following what investigators describe as an extensive months-long investigation, five suspects were arrested between May and July. The adult suspects are Jahnoi Bell, 21, of Brampton; Mcaium Aarons, 25, of Toronto; and Jayden Christmah, 23, of Orangeville. Two 17-year-olds from Brampton have also been charged but cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Bell faces two counts of first-degree murder. One of the 17-year-olds is also charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The second 17-year-old faces two counts of first-degree murder plus multiple firearm-related offences: unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded restricted firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession, careless storage of a firearm, possession of a prohibited device, possession contrary to a prohibition order, and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number.

Aarons is charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and breach of probation. Christmah is charged with possession of a firearm for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said: "Two lives were cut short by gun violence, leaving families and a community to grieve. This investigation has been relentless, and these arrests are an important step toward holding those responsible accountable."

All five suspects were held in custody pending bail hearings. Police recovered two firearms during the investigation — one at the homicide scene and another during a search warrant executed at a Brampton residence.