Family and friends held a memorial Saturday afternoon to remember the life of the 19-year-old victim of a brutal beating near a New Westminster SkyTrain station in December.
Karim Meskine was the target of an apparent robbery on Dec. 17 near the 22nd Street SkyTrain station.
He was allegedly beaten with a baseball bat and was taken off life support hours after his 19th birthday.
Meskine was was going to a job interview to help support his family when he was attacked. His dad had been looking for a job for some time and the family does not have much money. One of his younger brothers is also disabled and needs some expensive medical care.
A 16-year-old suspect, who can’t be named, has been charged with second-degree murder. He was denied bail on Jan. 10.
The memorial took place at John Robson Elementary. Meskine was remembered as a caring, quiet and respectful teen who would never hurt anyone.
“Karim’s brother, he is sensing that something is not right,” said Justus Mirembe, president of the African-Canadian Soccer & Cultural Association. “But when he can’t see his brother he starts kind of, you know, expressions, asking ‘where is my brother?.”
Following the memorial, some of Meskine’s family went to the location where the attack took place. They laid flowers and photos and said a few words.
Meskine’s mother said she just feels ‘sick to her stomach’. When asked if the memorial helped to bring any closure, she said “oh no, there’s not going to be any closure.”
A trust fund has been set up in memory of Meskine. The trust fund has been set up with TD Canada Trust and donors can use the branch number 9028 along with account number 6083916.
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