16-year-old charged with second-degree murder of Montreal teen, vigil held outside school
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of another teenager outside his school on Monday.
In a news release issued at noon Friday, police confirmed they arrested a youth, four days after the violent incident took place.
The suspect appeared at the Montreal courthouse Friday afternoon, where the prosecution said it would seek an adult sentence. Crown prosecutors objected to his release. The teenager returns to court Tuesday to set a bail hearing date.
His identity has not been released because he is a minor.
Jannai Dopwell-Bailey, 16, was stabbed in broad daylight in the parking lot of the Programme Mile End school on Van Horne Avenue in the city’s Cote-des-Neiges neighbourhood.
He made it inside the school to seek help after the 3 p.m. attack and later died in hospital.
Police said the attack started as a fight between a group of boys outside the nearby recreational centre and spilled over to the school’s parking lot. Dopwell-Bailey's friends told CTV that there's been escalating violence between two groups of boys for months.
The news of the arrest comes on the same day families and friends are expected to gather at a candlelight vigil to remember Dopwell-Bailey at the same spot where he was killed.
The victim's mother, Charla Dopwell, her family and their supporters are expected to gather there at 6 p.m.
'HE'S JUST A MEMORY'
While the news of the arrest brings the family closer to seeking some justice, Dopwell said it does little to mend her broken heart at the loss of her son.
"It won't help me in my grief. I am happy they arrested somebody, but I don't think it will help the grief because if they arrest him, [my] son won't come back to me," she said.
"He's just a memory. He can't come back to me. I'm very, very broken."
Dopwell doesn't know the person arrested in her son's killing. She said police called around 11 p.m. Thursday to inform her they had someone in custody. "im
She said her son was a very "well-mannered" and "respectful" who had so much to look forward to in his future.
"It's a brutal, horrific murder for a little 16-year-old who had all his life to look forward to and it was just abruptly taken away from him," she said.
"My son was a good person and a loving person."
What has helped her through her grief is the outpouring of support from the community, she said. She has fielded phone calls and text messages from loved ones in New York and Saint Vincent, in the Caribbean, offering their condolences.
A VIGIL AFTER A PAINFUL WEEK
At a vigil on Friday evening outside Dopwell-Bailey's school, his relatives mingled with friends and teachers and other people he knew, sharing memories.
"He loves to dance, he loves to rap, he loves hanging out in the park with his friends," said a cousin, Onica John.
"He was full of life, always smiling. He loved his mom, he loved his family a lot," she said. "He was loved and continues to be loved."
Someone also set up a GoFundMe for the family on Thursday, which quickly surpassed its $10,000 goal.
But this week has not always been full of expressions of support. As Dopwell-Bailey's family waited for news of the arrest after Monday, videos circulated on social media with violent imagery mocking the victim.
In one video, a masked man appeared to hold a knife while addressing Dopwell-Bailey, whose nickname was Twizzy.
Police said on Tuesday they were aware of the videos but couldn't confirm the people depicted in them were inmplicated in the fatal attack.
The investigation into Dopwell-Bailey's death is ongoing, according to police, who say the public's cooperation is "important."
His mother said she is waiting anxiously for news of two other arrests -- of the other boys who were apparently present.
"There were three," she said.
Anyone with information about the homicide can contact Info-Crime Montréal anonymously at 514 393-1133 or fill out the report form available at infocrimemontreal.ca.
- With files from CTV Montreal's Stephane Giroux and Billy Shields
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.