Jordan Manners' sister netted in raids
Among those arrested in Wednesday's massive raids targeting the Driftwood Crips street gangwas the sister of the 15-year-old boy fatally shot inside a school.
Necole Small, 25, is one of 95 people facing a total of more than 700 chargesfollowing the sweeping pre-dawn raids.
The sister of Jordan Manners, who was killed on May 23 by a single gunshot to his chest, is charged withpossession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, but is not accused of being a gang member.
Small's lawyer, Gregory Leslie, saidhis clientwas staying over at a house that was searched as part of theraids, but did not own the gun found in the house.
While Toronto police Staff Insp. Brian Raybouldoriginally insisted the Manners shooting was not gang related, police clarified Friday thatthey meant itwas not connected to gang rivalry.
Police believe Manners knew and hung out with members of the Driftwood Crips.
Shooting may have been an accident: police
Since Manners' death, his mother,Laureen Small, has been actively pushing for the provincial government to take a deeper look into the causes of violence among youth.
Two17-year-old boys, said to be Manners' friends, have been charged with first-degree murder, though police now say it's possible the gun fired accidentally.
Both accused have clammed up with investigators, they say.
Policearehoping that residents of the Jane-Finch neighbourhood may begin speaking to investigators about the case now that those threatening them into silence are behind bars.
Also among those arrested was a man charged in a shooting that took place near the Manners' family home in the hours after the boy's funeral.The family believed the shootingwas meant to intimidate them.
Jermaine Johnson, 23,was charged shortly after that shooting with a number of weapons-related charges.
Accused held over weekend
On Thursday, dozens of accused streamed into a courtroom, along with their defence lawyers and family members.
All 95 accused, including three brothers alleged to be high-profile members of the Driftwood Crips gang —Michael, Nadel and Peter Johnson, ages30, 28 and 24 (no relation to Jermaine Johnson) — will be held in custody until at least Monday after the Crown delayed bail hearings Thursday.
Crown lawyers delayed thebail hearingsindicating they werenot ready to deal with the large number of accused.
Family members and defence lawyers reacted angrily to the news, asking why resources hadn't been allocated to handle the case.
"There are hundreds of family members concerned for their loved ones and of course they're frustrated to not have any answers as to what's going on and why their loved ones won't be coming home tonight [Thursday]," said lawyer Sean Bernstein.