HN Summary
• Sixteen-year-old Nekai Foster survived being shot in the head during a random 100-bullet crossfire in 2023.
• Sunnybrook’s BRAVE Program supported Nekai and his family throughout his recovery, helping him regain his independence and eventually walk again.
• Nekai’s recovery is featured in the documentary Nekai Walks. Today, he is studying at Seneca, writing a book and learning film production.
“He’s got to be dead.”
Those were the chilling words of a witness after 16-year-old Nekai Foster was caught in a random, 100-bullet crossfire. He was walking home in 2023 after playing basketball with friends, and paramedics and police at the scene feared the worst. Nekai had been shot in his head, foot and ankle.
The road to recovery
Nekai was rushed to Sunnybrook, where neurosurgeon Dr. Leo da Costa removed a piece of his skull to relieve severe brain swelling.
Beyond his clinical team, Nekai had another steady presence by his side: members of the BRAVE (Breaking the Cycle of Violence with Empathy) Program. The City of Toronto-funded program at Sunnybrook’s Centre for Injury and Violence Prevention helps young victims of gun and stabbing violence recover and avoid re-injury.
“We were with him the whole way,” says Michael Lewis, a case manager with the BRAVE Program who gets to know patients as people to understand their goals, then builds a long-term care plan. Right after the shooting, the team helped arrange housing and transportation for Nekai’s mother so she could stay close to her son.
A mom’s perspective: We were seen, heard and supported
During Nekai’s recovery, Taneeshia Grant-Skyers would flash back to when her son was very young. “He took a while to walk when he was a baby. That fear returned when he couldn’t stand,” she says.
Taneeshia was one of her son’s biggest cheerleaders during his hospital stay, constantly affirming and reaffirming his hope and strength. The growing relationship between Nekai, Michael, other BRAVE Program members struck her during her Nekai’s time at Sunnybrook, and beyond.
“They were able to establish a meaningful relationship with Nekai. Through encouragement, positivity, and consistent support, they motivated Nekai to remain hopeful and continue working toward his goals of walking again and regaining his independence. This relationship had a profound impact on Nekai’s recovery journey,” adds Taneeshia, adding that conversations with the BRAVE Program team helped her and her family to feel seen, heard, and supported during an overwhelming time.Sharing his story
Nekai, his sister Nicole and members from the BRAVE Program recently reunited at Sunnybrook for a screening of Nekai Walks. The TVO Original documentary directed by Rico King, details Nekai’s recovery and touches on how BRAVE case managers support youth in the hospital, during rehab, and back in their communities.
The screening included a panel discussion with Nekai, Michael, Rico and Devon James, the founding director of YAAACE—a Black-led organization supporting youth from racialized and under-resourced communities like Jane and Finch.
Before the panel, Rico shared his gratitude: “This film exists because of the extraordinary work of the teams at Sunnybrook. Thank you for saving Nekai’s life and countless other lives.”
Nekai spoke at the event, sharing a simple message: “Stick by the community and people around you, and keep your head up.”
For Nekai, keeping his head up meant a grueling journey to relearn how to walk, which began at Sunnybrook and continued during his rehab stay at Holland Bloorview. Using humor and laughter to get through it, Nekai insists this is just the beginning. “Walking again is not the biggest thing I will achieve,” he says. “It’s what I need to do, to accomplish what I want.”
Today, Nekai is doing exactly that. Not only is he walking again, but he’s also writing a book, studying at Seneca, and interning with Rico King to learn film editing and production.
“I don’t plan on stopping.”