After her eight-year-old son tragically lost his life to a stray bullet in August of last year, Holly Roy shared that her family has been profoundly impacted, leading them into a completely different reality. Roy expressed the challenges of caring for her children amidst the trauma, emphasizing the difficulty in maintaining self-care.

The incident occurred on August 16, 2025, as Holly and her son, Jahvai Roy, were in their North York residence when gunfire erupted outside during the late hours. Jahvai, sitting up in bed, was fatally wounded by a stray bullet. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Subsequently, authorities charged three young individuals with first-degree murder in connection to the incident.

Over the past year, Roy has been dedicated to commemorating her son’s life and actively opposing gun violence. Reflecting on her Anishinaabe, Ojibwe First Nation heritage, she recently visited Jahvai’s gravesite on Manitoulin Island, marking a significant moment of closure and realization of the permanence of her son’s passing.

In a recent interview on CBC Radio’s “Metro Morning,” Roy candidly expressed her journey of coming to terms with the irrevocable loss of her son after months of attempting to cope and move forward. She described feeling like she had been in a state of suspension, with the visit to her son’s resting place solidifying the harsh reality of his absence.

The aftermath of Jahvai’s tragic death saw the community rallying against gun violence, with citizens advocating for increased political attention to the issue. Roy, who had been actively campaigning for gun violence prevention since her older son survived a shooting in 2019, highlighted the inadequate support available for victims directly affected by such incidents.

Driven by her personal experiences, Roy has engaged with grassroots organizations and anti-gun violence movements like the One by One Movement and the Zero Gun Violence Movement through social media platforms. She fondly remembers Jahvai’s compassionate nature and his desire to support his struggling brother, inspiring her to continue her advocacy work.

As she navigates the profound loss of her son, Roy remains focused on spreading love and positivity, carrying Jahvai’s memory with her as she works towards a safer community free from gun violence.