Drake Issues Statement on OVO Fest Afterparty Shooting

In the early mornings at the official afterparty at Muzik Nightclub for Drake’s two-day OVO Fest, a mass shooting broke out killing Duvel Hibbert, 23, and Ariela Navarro-Fenoy, 26 on Aug. 3. About two weeks since the deadly shooting, Drake finally breaks his silence. Read his statement below:

The last few days I have been in a moral bind.

I am used to the fact that my life and the things I say to my fans are‎ closely watched. It's tough in situations like this where there's a tragedy and I consider the advice of my trusted advisors and counsel who worry that anything I might say could be misinterpreted

However, today I am choosing to follow my heart.

I am plagued and pained by the violence that continues to escalate in our city. I stare into the eyes of so many young people and I wish to see them all shine as bright as they possibly can in this lifetime. I encourage my generation to show as much value and gratitude as you can for the lives we have been gifted.

My deepest condolences go out to the Navarro-Fenoy and Hibbert families for their loss of Ariela and Duvel. Along with them I send my condolences to all of the families that have lost loved ones to the senseless violence that has and continues to occur in our city.

Although Toronto is globally viewed as a major city, at the core we are still a small close-knit community, and it is our public responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of one another. We need each other to further our communities for generations to come.

I pray for better times and better understanding.

After Drake’s two-day festival wrapped in Toronto, shooting erupted at the official afterparty at Muzik, which is located on Saskatchewan Road, across from the Canadian National Exhibition right on Lake Ontario. The shooting took place just before 3:30 a.m. local time, authorities said, beginning inside at the bar before spilling out into the street. Their have been no suspects apprehended as of press time.