Parole board cites new allegations about Toronto Boxing Day killer

A police officer carries paperwork into the Palais de Justice, Quebec Superior Court, in Montreal on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

MONTREAL — A new decision by the Parole Board of Canada is revealing details about a recent Montreal homicide allegedly involving a man who was previously convicted in the 2005 Toronto Boxing Day murder of a 15-year old.

The decision revokes parole for Jeremiah Valentine and includes details about the recent Montreal shooting that have not been tested in court. It says that according to “available information,” Valentine allegedly shot another man this summer after trying to initiate a romantic encounter with the victim’s partner.

“A dispute arose between you and the victim, because you tried to initiate a romantic interaction with his partner,” reads the late October decision. “You left the premises but came back 20 minutes later with a firearm. You discharged the weapon at the victim.”

The shooting occurred in downtown Montreal on July 15, and Jeremiah Valentine now faces a first-degree murder charge in the killing of Abdeck Kenedith Ibrahim.

The decision states the victim was known to law enforcement but had no previous known connection to Valentine.

Valentine previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2009 in the death of 15-year-old Jane Creba and was released on parole in January 2025.

The girl was caught in the crossfire of a shootout between gangs in downtown Toronto in December 2005 that also left several other people injured.

The shooting took place near the Eaton Centre mall, traditionally one of Toronto’s most popular shopping destinations for Boxing Day sales, during what became known as the city’s “year of the gun.”

In its earlier decision granting parole, the Parole Board of Canada said an August 2021 psychological assessment of Valentine indicated he had the highest level of risk — a 76 per cent chance of violent recidivism over a period of five years after release.

However, the parole board said he made “observable and measurable” change in prison and was “making the necessary lifestyle changes to live a pro-social existence.”

The latest decision says Valentine had appeared to be doing well following his progressive release to the community, and had at first resided at a “supervised apartment organization” where he paid rent on time.

In revoking his parole, the board noted that Valentine was presumed innocent until proven guilty, but said it was nevertheless “particularly concerned” by the new charge.

“The board also finds this new charge is directly linked to your offence cycle, that is to resolve conflict with violence, by discharging a firearm at your rival,” it read.

The decision said Valentine allegedly violated a release condition that imposed a lifetime ban on possessing guns, and that his alleged actions “risked the lives of bystanders that could have once again been victims of your unscrupulous actions, demonstrating your lack of concern for public safety.” 

The board concluded that Valentine would present an undue risk to society if released.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2025.