Family, friends, and supporters gathered outside Mile End High School in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges district to mourn the death of 16-year-old Jannai Dopwell-Bailey, who was fatally attacked on October 18, 2021. His mother, Charla Dopwell, emphasized that her son was not involved in any gang-related activities and was simply a student at the school. The teen was attacked after leaving the school and was later declared dead at the hospital. Recently, Andrei Donet was found guilty of second-degree murder in Dopwell-Bailey’s death, while a minor involved in the killing was also convicted in 2023.
During the trial, witness testimony revealed that Donet used pepper spray on Dopwell-Bailey during the attack, while the minor repeatedly stabbed the victim. Witnesses described hearing the victim’s screams, which were a mix of pain and surprise. Surveillance footage shown during the trial captured Dopwell-Bailey running back into the school after the assault, leaving his mother, who was present in the courtroom, in tears. The guilty verdict for Donet has brought some relief to the family, who had been concerned about the possibility of the perpetrators escaping accountability for the crime.
Second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with the possibility of parole between 10 and 25 years. Dopwell hopes that the sentencing will reflect the gravity of the crime and bring some form of closure for her family. She expressed her desire for the perpetrator to receive a substantial sentence that would allow him to understand the impact of his actions on her and her family. Community members, including Charlene Hunte, who has also lost a son to murder in the past, are offering their support to the family during this difficult time. Hunte advises Dopwell not to blame herself for what happened and to focus on taking care of herself while honoring her son’s memory.
As the sentencing hearing for Donet is set to begin in late May, the family and their supporters are preparing for the next steps in the legal process. Dopwell and her loved ones are hopeful that the sentencing will bring a sense of justice and closure for them, as they continue to cope with the loss of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey. The community is rallying around the family, offering their support and encouragement as they navigate the difficult journey of seeking justice for their beloved son and honoring his memory. The tragedy has prompted reflections on the impact of violence in their community and the need to come together to support each other in times of grief and loss.
