The man who likely fired the gun that killed 15-year-old Jane Creba nearly four years ago has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Jeremiah Valentine, 27, has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 12 years.

Creba, 15, had been shopping with her mother and sister when she was killed by a stray bullet outside of a Foot Locker store near Yonge and Dundas Streets.

In his remarks, Justice John McMahon said Valentine would have faced much longer parole ineligibility if found guilty after a trial. McMahon also spoke at length about the victim.

“Unlike Ms. Creba, Jeremiah Valentine went shopping with a fully loaded .357 magnum in his pocket,” McMahon said.

“The callous disregard demonstrated by Mr. Valentine snuffed out the life of a completely innocent woman whose only mistake was to think she could go shopping on Yonge Street and be safe.”

At least four people have been acquitted of charges in the case, which involved a shootout on the downtown street on Boxing Day 2005. The Crown stated that there was likely no longer any chance of a conviction and called no evidence against them.

While forensics experts say it's very likely the bullet that killed Creba came from Valentine's gun, it wasn’t certain.

McMahon also said Valentine pleaded guilty despite “challenges” with the Crown’s case against Valentine because a key Crown witness has been subsequently charged with five criminal offences.

Valentine is not the first to be convicted in the case. Earlier this year, Jorrell Simpson-Rowe was convicted of second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and five weapons charges. He was sentenced as an adult in April, receiving life with no chance of parole for seven years.

He was 17 at the time of the shooting.

It has been suggested that some of the suspects were conducting a string of robberies when the shots rang out between rival gangs.

Creba’s family was not in court Tuesday and did not submit a victim impact statement.

Valentine’s lawyer, Edward Sapiano, says his client gave Toronto and the Creba family the only thing left to give – a guilty plea.

“I think it was well-expressed in court by all the parties that Mr. Valentine sincerely expressed his remorse,” said Sapiano.

Crown prosecuter Maurice Gillizeau said they’re very pleased with Valentine’s decision to accept responsibility and acknowledge his part and actions.

Jury selection will begin in the next two weeks for a pair of suspects also charged in connection with Creba’s death.