WINNIPEG — Friends and loved ones are remembering Christian O’Neail as a great guy who was nice to everyone.
O’Neail,18, died this weekend when an argument at a house party turned physical.
The Kildonan East Collegiate graduate was to start school at the University of Manitoba this week, but a fight outside a Transcona home early Saturday morning ended those plans.
“He was a great guy,” said longtime friend Joseph Sullivan. “He was always doing good things to make people happy, never looked for trouble; he would never do anything to hurt anybody.”
When police arrived at the home on Nevens Bay early Saturday morning, they learned a young man had been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
O’Neail and another young man had gotten into an argument that quickly turned violent.
“Two of the party-goers became involved in a verbal altercation,” said Winnipeg police Const. Eric Hofley. “It turned physical, resulting in the victim sustaining his injuries. The victim has since succumbed to those injuries.”
Friends of O’Neail were surprised by the fight, saying it wasn’t in his nature to be confrontational. They allege he was walking away when he was hit.
Police did not confirm that information.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested and is facing manslaughter charges in connection to the death.
Despite his grief, on Sunday Sullivan said he doesn’t think the suspect wanted the fight to go that far.
“I am sure he didn’t intend to kill the guy, but he did put himself at the small risk, making the choice to hit him.”
Police are still investigating and are asking anyone with more information to call 204-986-6508.
Comments