On February 12, 2021, 14-year-old Alyssa Driscoll was shot in the head inside a Toronto apartment but the 17-year-old who shot her will not face charges for attempted murder.

An ambulance rushed the girl to hospital where doctors struggled to save her life. She is now in stable condition, but suffered a life-altering brain injury.

Brandon Driscoll, Alyssa’s father, said he was sleeping in the apartment where he lives with his daughters when he heard a big bang.

“When I rushed out [of his bedroom], I saw my daughter laying on the floor. I called the ambulance right away. They told me to grab a towel. I squeezed her head as hard as I could. And the paramedics and doctors told me that if I had not have done that, that is the reason she is still alive today,” he said.

“It is alleged that a group of young people were together inside the unit of an apartment building,” police said in a statement released Thursday.

“A firearm was discharged and a 14-year-old girl was struck in the head. The suspect and others fled the apartment while the victim was transported to hospital in a life-threatening condition. She is now stable but has life-altering injuries and remains in hospital.”

The Toronto Police Integrated Gun & Gang Task Force did their job and 4 days later arrested a 17-year-old who they believe pulled the trigger.

The 17-year-old cannot be named due to provisions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act., but he faces numerous criminal charges:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing it is unauthorized,
• possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm with ammunition,
• careless storage of a firearm,
• discharge firearm being reckless as to the life or safety of another person,
• aggravated assault,
• criminal negligence causing bodily harm and
• two counts of fail to comply with release orders.

“I’m glad he’s arrested for my daughter’s sake, for her justice,” said Brandon Driscoll. “My main concern is Alyssa though, that’s all I’m focused on right now is Alyssa’s health.”

On February 22, 2021, a 16-year-old male surrendered to police and was charged with

• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Firearm Knowing it is Unauthorized
• Possession of a Prohibited/Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Possess Firearm while Prohibited
• Two counts of Fail to Comply with YCJA Sentence
• Fail to Comply with Release Order

Both these degenerates crossed paths with the law before, and both refuse to comply with the conditions of their sentences or conditions of release.

Firearms are dangerous when in the hands of people who refuse to treat them with respect. Street thugs wanting to be big shots at Jane and Finch are a perfect example. These little idiots thought playing with a loaded (and illegal) handgun was cool.  Now a young woman’s life will never be the same.

What baffles me and many others is why these two are not charged with attempted murder.

If you can lend a helping hand…

Rita Stuckey and Brandon Driscoll created a GoFundMe page to help Alyssa’s rehabilitation once she’s released from hospital. So far the page has raised $13,140 of its $20,000 goal.

Alyssa continues to improve, but doctors say she must wear a metal helmet to protect her head as she continues to recover from her near-death experience.

If you are able, please donate to Alyssa’s fundraiser.