5 Shocking Secrets Drake Revealed About The 'Degrassi' Shooting That Changed Jimmy Brooks Forever

The iconic moment when Aubrey “Drake” Graham’s character, Jimmy Brooks, was shot on Degrassi: The Next Generation remains one of the most shocking and discussed storylines in teen television history. Even today, in , fans and critics alike revisit the two-part Season 4 episode, “Time Stands Still,” for its raw, unflinching portrayal of a school shooting.

Recent reflections from Drake himself, as well as the show’s producers, have shed new, fascinating light on the intense behind-the-scenes process of creating this pivotal, career-defining tragedy. The storyline not only changed the trajectory of Jimmy Brooks’ life—confining him to a wheelchair—but also gave the future global superstar a new, challenging acting responsibility that he later described as giving him "something to study."

Jimmy Brooks: The Full Profile and Character Biography

Jimmy Brooks, played by Aubrey Graham, was a core character on Degrassi: The Next Generation from its debut in 2001 until his departure in 2009. His arc is one of the most dramatic and transformative in the series’ run. The character profile is as follows:

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• Full Name: James "Jimmy" Brooks
• Portrayed By: Aubrey "Drake" Graham
• First Appearance: "Degrassi: The Next Generation" (2001)
• Last Appearance: "Degrassi Goes Hollywood" (2009)
• Character Arc: Initially introduced as a popular, charming, and talented student, known for his prowess in basketball and his artistic skill in drawing. He was often seen as a voice of reason and a loyal friend.
• Key Relationships: Dated Ashley Kerwin, Hazel Aden, and Trina (his physical therapist). He had a close, often complicated, friendship with Spinner Mason.
• The Shooting Incident: The defining moment of his character's life occurred in the Season 4 two-part episode, "Time Stands Still," where he was shot by a bullied classmate, Rick Murray.
• Aftermath: The shooting left Jimmy paralyzed from the waist down, resulting in him using a wheelchair for the remainder of his time on the show. His storyline shifted to focus on his physical rehabilitation, emotional recovery, and adapting to life with a disability.
• Career Post-Degrassi: Jimmy Brooks eventually went on to attend university in the United States, pursuing a career in art.

The Darkest Day at Degrassi: What Happened in "Time Stands Still"

The two-part episode "Time Stands Still" (Season 4, Episodes 7 and 8) is considered a landmark moment for the series and a watershed moment for the character of Jimmy Brooks. The episode dealt with the severe consequences of bullying and the tragedy of gun violence in schools.

The Bullying and Escalation

The central conflict revolved around Rick Murray (Ephraim Ellis), a student who had previously been ostracized for physically abusing his girlfriend, Terri MacGregor. After returning to Degrassi Community School, Rick became the target of relentless and cruel bullying, primarily orchestrated by Jay Hogart and Spinner Mason. The bullying reached a critical point when a prank involving paint and feathers humiliated Rick in front of the entire school.

Pushed to the edge, Rick snapped. He retrieved a gun and returned to the school, intending to seek revenge. The tension was palpable as the students were forced into a lockdown scenario, hiding in classrooms and hallways, unaware of who the shooter was or where he was going.

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The Shooting of Jimmy Brooks

In a tragic twist, Jimmy Brooks was not the intended target of Rick’s wrath. Jimmy, known for his generally good nature, actually tried to comfort Rick, telling him he had his back. However, Rick, feeling betrayed by everyone, including those he thought were his friends, accused Jimmy of stabbing him in the back. Rick then raised the gun and shot Jimmy in the back, paralyzing him from the waist down.

The episode’s climax saw Rick confront another target, Sean Cameron, who ultimately shot Rick in self-defense, ending the horrific ordeal. The shocking scene of Jimmy lying wounded on the floor of the hallway became an instantly unforgettable image for a generation of viewers.

Drake’s Shock: 5 Secrets Revealed About the Script and Aftermath

In recent years, Aubrey Graham has frequently reflected on the intense experience of filming the "Time Stands Still" storyline, revealing how blindsided he and the cast were by the script’s dark turn. These revelations offer a fresh perspective on the episode's legacy.

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1. Drake Was Blindsided by the Script

Drake recalled the read-through where the cast discovered the shocking events. He described the atmosphere as "dark" and "intense." He specifically mentioned that a producer told him to mentally prepare for the script, but didn't reveal the details: “Somebody told me to mentally prepare for today's script, but they didn't tell me there was going to be a shooting at the school and that it was me,” Drake revealed. The shock of the school shooting storyline was shared by the entire ensemble cast.

2. The Storyline Was Rooted in Real-Life Tragedy

The show's producers and writers were committed to tackling tough, real-world issues, and the school shooting was no exception. It was a storyline that reflected a growing, tragic reality in North America, giving the episode an immediate and profound sense of weight and responsibility. This commitment to realism is what made the episode so impactful and controversial at the time of its airing in 2004.

3. Playing Jimmy in a Wheelchair Was "Homework"

The shooting fundamentally changed Jimmy’s character, transitioning him from a star athlete to a young man dealing with paralysis. Drake admitted that this new role demanded a lot more effort and research. He stated that playing Jimmy after the shooting gave him "something to study" and "homework," indicating a new level of commitment to accurately portraying a person with a disability. This was a significant shift from the relatively lighter storylines of his earlier seasons.

4. Drake Almost Quit Because of the Wheelchair Storyline

There was a widely circulated, though debated, rumor that Drake (or his team) initially resisted the idea of Jimmy Brooks being permanently confined to a wheelchair. According to a producer, there was a moment where they were told Drake would leave the show because of the character’s paralysis. Ultimately, Drake remained in the role, embracing the challenge and portraying Jimmy’s journey through physical therapy and emotional recovery, which became a powerful and educational part of the show’s narrative.

5. The Arc Became a Cultural Touchstone for Disability Representation

While the shooting itself is the clickbait moment, the *aftermath* is the true legacy of the storyline. Jimmy's arc after the shooting—his struggles with depression, his physical rehabilitation, his attempts to play wheelchair basketball, and his eventual acceptance—provided rare and meaningful representation of life with a spinal cord injury on mainstream television. This long-running, non-miraculous recovery storyline cemented Degrassi: The Next Generation’s reputation for tackling difficult topics with maturity and depth, long after the initial shock of the gun violence had passed.

The Lasting Legacy of Jimmy Brooks’ Shooting

The "Time Stands Still" episode and the subsequent paralysis of Jimmy Brooks are undeniably intertwined with the cultural history of Degrassi. It was a bold creative risk taken in Season 4 that paid off, generating massive public discussion and critical acclaim for its sensitive handling of a school shooting and its aftermath.

For Aubrey Graham, the role was a masterclass in dramatic acting that prepared him for the spotlight, even as he transitioned into his music career as Drake. His ability to portray the emotional weight and physical challenges of the paralyzed Jimmy Brooks proved his versatility as an actor.

The storyline has been revisited in recent documentaries, such as Degrassi: Whatever It Takes, highlighting its continued importance to the show's legacy. It serves as a powerful reminder of the show’s commitment to "go there" on challenging topics—from bullying and abuse to gun violence and disability—making Jimmy Brooks’ shooting one of the most unforgettable and influential moments in Canadian television history.