Teenage girl, Ajax man killed in Toronto shooting

Friends and family are mourning two young people who lost their lives in one of the bloodiest shootings in Toronto’s history.

Toronto police say that at least 100 people were attending a block party when shots rang out on Danzig Street at about 10:40 p.m. Monday.

Twenty-five people were hit when the shots were fired and two of those people died.

Police said Tuesday that Shyanne Charles, a 14-year-old Toronto girl who was set to start high school in the fall, was one of the two persons killed.

Friends told CBC News that Charles was a generous person, a good student and a role model.

Faith Black, who knew Charles since she was little, said she first heard about the girl's death late Monday night. She described Charles as a good student who never got in any trouble.

"I'm still in denial, it hasn't really hit me yet," Black said. Charles, who played basketball at her school, was about to enter Grade 9 in September.

Kionna Jones, a former schoolmate of Charles, said she last spoke to her friend a few weeks ago. Jones said she is not very athletic, but that Charles would help her with basketball.

"She was always generous and joyful. She was always up and about. She would never put anybody down," said Jones.

"She was really nice and good person to look up to."

Slain man died with dreams of joining police

Joshua Yasay, 23, was working for a security company at the time of his death, but he wanted to become a police officer.

Police identified him as the other victim who died at the scene of the Danzig Street shooting.

The Ajax, Ont., man had earned an honours degree in criminology from York University. He graduated in June of last year.

Yasay also coached basketball and had volunteered with the Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto for two years.

"Joshua truly was one of those special mentors that was making a difference and working toward equalizing the playing field for all youth in his community," the association said in a statement it released to CBC News on Tuesday.

"His contribution will be much missed. Our sincerest condolences are sent to his family and friends."

His employer also said that Yasay was someone who could be depended upon.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with Joshua's family during this unimaginable tragedy and we think of the other victims as well," said Paul Eccleston, the director of client services at Paragon Security.

"Joshua was a remarkable employee and the Paragon family are going to miss him immensely."