Students seek to eliminate gun violence following death of former schoolmate in Centretown

Students are raising money for efforts to end gun violence, after a former classmate was killed in a shooting last year. CTV’s Peter Szperling reports.

Students of a Kanata high school are honouring a former schoolmate killed in a Centretown shooting last fall by creating a business – raising money in an effort to end gun violence.

Preventing gun violence is personal for Holy Trinity High School student Jacob Lalonde.

“Someone who I’ve played football with for half my life was a tragic victim of gun violence,” Lalonde said.

Quentin Dorsainvil, a former Holy Trinity High School student, was killed in a Centretown shooting last fall.

Quentin Dorsainvil Quentin Dorsainvil, 17, is being remembered by the Ottawa football community as a smiling, gentle giant. (Supplied)

A group of students at the school are now honouring him by making a difference.

“I wanted to try to raise awareness about gun violence, (and) show that it’s an issue, especially in Canada, and how that it’s affecting the youth, people in our community and to try to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club,” said Lalonde.

They’re creating and selling bracelets and hoodies.

“They developed a business from the ground up. So, they decided what the cause would be, what their charity of choice would be,” said teacher Carolyn Hopewell.

The project is part of a social entrepreneurship program.

“Often people want to react to a tragedy by taking action. And these students have done that,” said Hopewell.

Students designed the merchandise and the brand, 289 to Zero.

“It signifies how 289 Canadians passed away due to gun violence in 2023. And our goal is to bring that down to zero,” added another student, Justin-Peter Ammar.

Profits from the project are going to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.

“We can make a change and help the world for the better by stopping gun violence and saving lives,” said Luisa Santos, a student involved in the project.

Save Young Lives Students of a Kanata high school are honouring a former schoolmate killed in a Centretown shooting last fall by creating a business and raising money in an effort to end gun violence. (Peter Szperling/ CTV News Ottawa)

So far, the group has raised just over $2,000 with a goal of donating $5,000.

“With $5,000, that’s almost five youth who can come and benefit from our programs for free,” said Sarah Cybulski, Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.

“When it’s a group of kids who want to raise money to help other kids, that’s always really special.”

This group of students is learning lessons along the way.

“For me, I think the biggest thing I’m going to walk out of this with is fulfillment. Just trying to honour my friend the best I can by supporting the community,” said Lalonde.

If you would like to purchase merchandise or donate, visit 289tozero.myshopify.com.