Hundreds at funeral for Shyanne Charles, 14, victim of street barbecue shooting

TORONTO – Hundreds of mourners from as far away as Montreal gathered for the funeral of 14-year-old Shyanne Charles in east-end Toronto today.

Dozens arrived in buses at the funeral for Charles, who was one of two people killed in a shooting rampage at a community barbecue July 16.

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Her grandfather, Tyrone Charles, said outside the service was one of remembrance and visitors wore white to symbolize Shyanne’s innocence and purity.

Pastor Tyrone Haynes presided over the service at the Highland Funeral Home, where mourners were asked to remember Shyanne with songs, poetry and thoughts through an open microphone. Mourners filled the foyer and gathered outside due to a lack of space in the chapel.

Joshua Yasay, 23, of Ajax, Ont., also died when the gunfire broke out and 23 others were injured.

Marilyn Ortega, whose son Ruddin Dexter Greaves was killed in a shooting in north Toronto 15 years ago Friday, said gun violence in Toronto needs to stop.