ENTERTAINMENT NEWS: Drake Breaks Silence on OVO Fest Afterparty Shootings: 'I Pray for Better Times'

Drake performs during 2015 OVO Fest at 
Molson Canadian Amphitheatre on August 3, 2015 in
 Toronto, Canada.George Pimentel/Getty Images

Drake has finally broken his silence about the murders that took place at his OVO afterparty in the early morning hours of Aug. 4 at Toronto’s Muzik nightclub, following his sold-out concert at Molson Amphitheatre just across the bridge.

The shooting occurred at 3:20 a.m. after the party of 4,000 had shut down.Duvel Hibbert, 23, was targeted on the club patio, police say,

and innocent bystander Ariela Navarro-Fenoy, 26, was killed in the crossfire outside, after she and her friends were refused a cab ride home because they were only going a short distance.

Drake, who has long touted his love for Toronto and its people, had not given a public statement until Friday (Aug. 14), despite calls by Crime Stoppers, the victims’ families and online posts by members of the public. Police released descriptions of the two suspects, but there have been no names or arrests.

Here is Drake’s statement in full.

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.