Close to 1,000 people packed into a church in Pierrefonds Saturday for the funeral of a slain teenager.

Darius Brown was killed on Nov. 17 in Cote-St-Luc after being attacked by another 17-year-old boy.

The funeral, which was so full many had to stand, was held at Westview Bible Church on Pierrefonds Blvd.

Several school buses transported mourners to the service, filling the parking lot.

“He was an absolutely lovely young man,” said Jennifer Wooley, the librarian at Lakeside Academy, where Darius went to school. “As a school we’re very much a family, and we’re a family with a broken heart. We’re shattered.” 

According to his obituary, the high school student lived in NDG and was an active member at local community centres, namely Westhaven, where both his parents were involved.

“It’s losing your brother and it’s very hurtful. I was quite devastated when I found out. It hurts a lot,” said his friend Dante Wade, who knew Darius through the Westhaven centre. “He was a good gentleman. Everywhere I brought him, he introduced himself very kindly. He was a very good kid.”

A GoFundMe page supporting the boy's family paid for all the funeral costs.

A basketball tournament to honour Darius will be held at the Westhaven Community Centre on Dec. 17. Darius was part of Westhaven’s basketball team and recently started coaching basketball for younger children.

Another 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named, has been accused of second-degree murder in his death.

Wade said the community at Westhaven is helping each other through the tragedy.

“We take care of each other and hold each other. It’s all we have to do. Stick together and be strong,” he said.

Wooley said the school is also trying to cope.

“We’re in absolute shock and devastation," she said. "The students as well as the staff – everyone is just heartbroken.”