Jordan Henry was a very good football player and even a better kid!
He wanted to help people, which is why he was planning to go to college to become a paramedic.
From our newsroom to your inbox at noon, the latest headlines, stories, opinion and photos from the Toronto Sun.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.
It would have happened too had he not attended a New Year’s Eve party to bring in 2020 in Brampton.
It was at a home the 17-year-old was struck with gunfire and died at the scene on Alderbury Circle – Peel Region’s 31st homicide of that deadly year.
Peel Regional Police went to work right away to determine who was behind this. The trail led homicide detectives to Hamilton where they found who they alleged was responsible for the slaying of the grade 12 St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic Secondary School student.
Charged with first degree murder was Zakaria Hassan, 22. Then several months later Abdikadir Abdi, 20, and Mohammed Shokri, 18, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder as well.
All three where in Brampton court Tuesday where they pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Their sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
This was a complicated case in which police were able to trace the killers and get them in custody. But it’s not lost on them, or anybody in Brampton, just how tragic this was because the kid that was killed was not involved in anything that would have put him at risk of being murdered.
“This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of Jordan Henry, a 17-year-old innocent young man who had a very bright future ahead of him,” said Peel Police Insp. Todd Leach, who heads the homicide unit.
“When no witnesses came forward after the homicide, the team knew this was going to be a puzzle that needed to be solved. Despite the several challenges faced throughout this entire investigation, the team remained relentless in identifying those individuals responsible and bringing them before the courts. This decision is a direct result of their commitment and dedication to seek justice for Jordan and his family.”
-
‘He didn’t deserve this:’ Sister mourns murdered brother
-
‘Quiet’ Brampton murder victim had ‘strong work ethic’ on football field
-
NEW YEAR’S HORROR: Brampton boy, 17, killed in shooting
Needless to say his teammates and classmates were devastated by this heinous crime.
“Jordan Henry was a quiet young man who was well respected by his coaches for the strong work ethic he brought to the field every day. RIP,” said a tweet from the team’s twitter account.
It’s with deep sadness to find out that d’Youville Football has tragically lost one of our brothers to senseless gun violence last night. Jordan Henry was a quiet young man who was well respected by his coaches for the strong work ethic he brought to the field everyday. RIP 😔💔 pic.twitter.com/pcvmkWw43m
— dY Football (@dYFootball) January 2, 2020
At the time Sun crime columnist Brad Hunter and photographer Jack Boland noted at the scene police had deemed a car with smashed windows evidence which opened up the beginning of the puzzle that they would solve.
Now the three people who admitted to the court they are responsible are headed to prison. In a few years they will be eligible to come back and restart their lives again.
But no sentence or time served is going to bring back Jordan Henry for a second chance that three convicted in his killing will receive.