Hundreds take in candlelight vigil for teen slain outside high school

Victim's family says they want to see the youths facing charges tried as adults

Hundreds of Edmontonians gathered outside Mcnally High School Friday night for a candlelight vigil honouring Karanveer Sahota who was attacked outside the school and died from his injuries two weeks ago.

Prior to the vigil, people gathered and circled the tree behind the bus stop where the attack on the 16-year-old boy occurred. Dozens of bouquets of flowers, a stuffed animal and a sign reading “In loving memory of Karanveer” were placed against the tree at the teen's memorial site.

Sahota's cousins spoke about him to the hundreds of attendees in the school's field.

“For one week, Karanveer stayed in the hospital to show us how strong he really was. Silently, our baby cousin brought our whole family together from across the world for one last time. On April 15, together, our family sent Karanveer off to heaven,” said Sahota's cousin Shivleen Sidhu during the vigil.

The candlelight vigil comes after hundreds gathered to mourn Sahota at his memorial service last Sunday.

Around 2:44 p.m. on April 8, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) received reports of an assault that happened outside Mcnally High School.

Sahota was taken to hospital in critical condition and died from his injuries on April 15.

An autopsy determined Sahota died of a stab wound to the chest, police said.

Seven teenagers — two as young as 14 years old — are facing second-degree murder charges in the death of the Edmonton boy.

Six boys and a 17-year-old girl are charged.

Police have called the incident an “escalation of violence” between feuding groups of students, but say there is nothing to indicate it was gang-related.

None of the teens charged can be identified due to provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Cousins of Sahota have said they want the youths charged to be tried as adults.

Lionel Chartrand, a defence lawyer representing one of the accused youths, said Crown prosecutors are expected to seek adult sentences.

IAN KUCERAK A woman places a photograph at a memorial on Friday while other family and friends stand in a silent vigil for Karanveer Sahota, a student who was beaten and stabbed to death outside Mcnally High School April 8. Seven youth have been arrested in connection with the incident.