Crown prosecutors said they will seek adult sentencing should the two 17-year-old males charged with the death of teenager Jordan Manners be found guilty.
Two youths have been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting that took place at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute in the Jane-and-Finch area of northwestern Toronto last Wednesday.
The Toronto Star is reporting the Crown will pursue adult sentences for the males should it be proven they were responsible for 15-year-old Jordan's death.
The two youths, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared in court yesterday and will be back before a judge next Monday, via video link.
During a press conference on Monday, Homicide Squad Staff Insp. Brian Raybould told reporters that Manners and the two males were acquaintances and all three were from the same neighbourhood.
The two males were reportedly seen with Jordan minutes before the shooting on the second floor of the school.
After descending the stairs, the boy collapsed on the floor with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police have not identified which youth was allegedly the shooter in the incident.
The family of the slain teenager said they are more concerned with the social conditions that led to his death rather than the guilt or innocence of those accused of his murder.
The family's lawyer, Courtney Betty, told the newspaper the family will hold a press conference on Wednesday to prompt discussion into the social problems that would motivate someone to open fire in a school.
The family is expected to call on the province to open an inquiry or inquest into the issues that cause such violence to occur.
Homicide detectives said yesterday they would not speculate on a motive for the murder.
"Number one, we have not established a motive, and even if we had I would be unable to tell you about it," Raybould said at a news conference.
"There's no indication of gangs being involved -- these people were friends," Raybould told reporters.
Police apprehended the first 17-year-old male on Sunday after emergency task force officers raided a number of residences in the Toronto's west end.
The second accused young man was picked up by police Sunday night, as he was on his way to the 31 division police station to turn himself in.
Classes were cancelled at C.W. Jefferys following Manners' death, and they resumed Monday with assemblies to address the tragedy.
Grief counsellors were on-hand to help distraught students and teachers deal with the tragedy.
Manners' funeral is planned for Thursday with visitation on Tuesday and Wednesday.
With files from the Canadian Press
