Toronto community mourns 14-year-old Abdoul Aziz Sarr
The Toronto community is grappling with profound grief following the tragic death of 14-year-old Abdoul Aziz Sarr, who was fatally stabbed in the city's east end on Saturday, July 5, 2025.
His funeral, held on Wednesday, July 9, 2024, offered a somber farewell as loved ones and community leaders mourned a "young soul full of dreams" and pleaded for an end to the troubling rise in youth violence across the city.
The Tragic Incident and Immediate Aftermath
According to a news release from the Toronto Police Service (TPS), officers responded to a call for a stabbing near Eastern Avenue and Woodward Avenue on Saturday night, at approximately 11:30 p.m.
Police located a male victim suffering from stab wounds near a McDonald's.
He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The victim was identified as Abdoul Aziz Sarr.
The Mecca Islamic Center (MIC), where Abdoul Aziz was a student, expressed profound grief over his "tragic and senseless loss."
The mosque described Abdoul Aziz as "more than just a student," highlighting him as "a beacon of joy in our community — always smiling, always kind, always bringing warmth to those around him."
They noted his deep commitment to his faith and studies, emphasizing his eagerness to learn and his loving nature towards teachers and peers.
A Heart-Wrenching Farewell
As reported by Jennifer Pagliaro of the Toronto Star, hundreds gathered at the Spiritual Society Canada mosque for Abdoul Aziz's funeral.
His bare wood casket, draped in dark fabric with vibrant orange, green, and yellow embroidery, lay in the center of the room as his parents, brothers, and friends passed by to say their final goodbyes.
Abdoul Aziz's mother was overcome with grief, collapsing to the ground during the prayers, and was comforted by women who rushed to her side.
Outside, mourners lined the parking lot, raising their voices in prayer as they escorted the casket to a waiting van for burial, many laying their hands on it as it passed.
Omar Qadri, Abdoul Aziz's Islamic teacher and mentor from the Mecca Islamic Center, addressed the weeping teens directly, urging them to look at Abdoul Aziz's grieving parents.
Qadri, who helped wash and shroud Abdoul Aziz's body, shared the raw reality of the stab wounds that took the boy's life.
Drawing on his own experiences growing up, Qadri implored the young people to reject the allure of a "gangster" life, emphasizing that "it's not going to work."
A Life Remembered, A Future Advocated For
Qadri passionately challenged stereotypes often leveled at young Black boys, wanting Abdoul Aziz remembered as the bright, dedicated student he was.
Abdoul Aziz was a top student, a devoted son who helped clean the mosque with his mother and brother, rarely missing Friday prayers.
His favorite NBA player was Steph Curry, and just days before his death, he told Qadri, "Imam, I want greatness."
Qadri urged Abdoul Aziz's friends to honor his memory by seeking their own greatness.
"He had dreams. His dream was to get out of Scarborough. His dream was to buy his mother a house. His dream was to live in a suburb. My brothers, you guys gotta do that. You gotta do it for yourself, you gotta do it for your mom, you gotta do it for your dad, your grandparents, whoever it is. Aim high."
Abdoul Aziz also loved playing basketball, including with a program started by the mosque.
Qadri recounted a friendly rivalry they had, and how Abdoul Aziz had recently asked for a rematch that never happened. "Time is not promised to you," Qadri somberly reminded the mourners.
Community Support and Ongoing Investigation
In the wake of this devastating loss, the community has rallied to support Abdoul Aziz's family, who are facing "unimaginable pain."
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help alleviate financial burdens and allow the family time to grieve.
The mosque stated, "No amount can ever bring Abdoul Aziz back, but every donation is a gesture of compassion, solidarity, and mercy," urging both financial contributions and prayers.
The Toronto Police Service's Homicide Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Abdoul Aziz Sarr's death.
On Monday, July 7, 2025, a male youth, 16, of Toronto, turned himself in to police. He was arrested and charged with:
- First Degree Murder
He was scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 10 a.m., in room 606Y.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
The community remains in mourning, remembering Abdoul Aziz Sarr as a bright and beloved young man whose life was cut short far too soon, a stark reminder of the urgent need to address youth violence in Toronto.