TORONTO – An aspiring police officer, 23-year old Joshua Yasay was killed during the mass shooting on Danzig Street in Scarborough on Monday night, that also killed 14-year-old Shyanne Charles, and injured 23 others.
The barbershop in Ajax which Yasay owned with family members shows the grief of the family. A sign on the door reads:
“Closed due to the tragic loss of our beloved friend and business partner.”
Described as a “smiling, very nice guy,” by friends, Yasay was an innocent bystander caught in between gunmen in Scarborough.
“Connect with youth on a deeper level that encourages and fosters empowerment.” So reads a message that Yasay had written as one of his goals for a Malvern area after-school program where he volunteered.
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“What makes it so shocking is that everything that Josh stood for, everything Josh worked towards preventing, and having a progressive front against – unfortunately claimed his life,” said Katie Bushie, from the Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto.
Yasay was also an honours graduate of York University with a criminology degree – he was hoping to one day become a police officer.
His family is now preparing his funeral.
“We’re dealing now with funeral arrangements,” said Yasay’s sister, Jennilyn Yasay. “We haven’t even seen Joshua yet … It’s still fresh right now.”
The family of 14-year-old Shyanne Charles, who was also caught in the gunfire on Monday night, is grieving, saying that Shyanne’s was a life cut too short.
“That’s what she was to me and my family. She was a light. When she was around everybody was happy. The light ain’t out yet unless we let it,” Tyrone Charles, Shyanne’s grandfather said. “She was untouchable. She did care and she had a big heart… Everyone around her always gained something from her.”
Police have yet to name suspects in the Danzig shooting, but do have a person of interest in custody.
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