WATCH ABOVE: A day of raw emotion at a North Vancouver courthouse Tuesday, as three youths were charged in the murder of a 19- year- old teen in Whistler over the weekend. Jeremy Hunka reports.
VANCOUVER – Three teenagers charged with manslaughter will be in court today after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death in Whistler.
Family members of Luka Gordic were at a bail hearing in North Vancouver Tuesday but it was adjourned. Tensions remained high in the courtroom Wednesday afternoon. Six sheriffs were brought in for extra security and one of Gordic’s family members had to be removed after an emotional outburst. We cannot release any more details due to the publication ban.
Gordic died Sunday morning after there was a fight between two groups of young people spending the long weekend at the resort town. Friends have set up a Facebook page in his memory.
Three 17-year-olds are charged with manslaughter. An 18-year-old man is also facing charges of manslaughter. His identity is not being released at this time as IHIT says it may identify the 17 year olds charged.
Investigators say the two groups knew each other.
“This was a situation where a group of young people who knew each other had a dispute which turned deadly,” said Sgt. Stephanie Ashton of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
“There are some witnesses who have yet to speak with investigators about the death of Luka Gordic, we ask that those people come forward now and tell us what they know.”
Gordic’s family say they want justice to be served.
“We are a strong and vibrant family and something special has been taken away from us,” said Luka’s uncle Gianni. “We just want to ensure that this doesn’t happen to other people as there’s thousands of kids up at Whistler. It could have been anybody’s child.”
WATCH: Luka Gordic’s family speaks out:
Gordic, who turned 19 earlier this month, graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School a year ago and was studying to become a plumber.
He was the youngest of four kids and lived at home with his parents, two older brothers, one sister and the family dog.
Comments