EDMONTON – Friends, family and members of Edmonton’s rugby community are mourning the loss of a fallen comrade. Four days after Gabriel Gregg moved to our city, in search of work and a new start, a fight outside a local bar turned him into our city’s ninth homicide victim.
“He was not the person to start a fight he was not a guy to walk around with his chest puffed out. He was not that guy,” says his childhood friend from Olds, Alberta Brielle Jenkins.
“He was one of those guys that was just an outgoing guy, you know, that enjoyed life,” adds Chal Smyth, the director of Strathcona Druids Rugby team.
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Gregg had joined the team shortly after arriving in town. He posted a message on the Facebook page of his former Nanaimo Hornets rugby club, writing about his recent move to Edmonton, and promising to update the group on his first game with his new team.
He would never get a chance to make that post, though. Gregg passed away in hospital three days after an altercation at a local bar early Sunday June 2nd.
Police have charged 36 year-old Derrick Hansen of Edmonton with manslaughter in relation to his death, which is being felt by many – including the rugby club he left behind.
“They’re devastated right now,” says Smyth. “Everyone’s just devastated. They’re in shock right now, they can’t believe Gabe’s gone.”
“He was a champion of our generation. He was so giving and so wonderful.”
The Druids Rugby Club held a memorial for Gregg Saturday afternoon. The new player’s jersey was retired as his family from B.C. watched.
A ‘celebration of life‘ and funeral will be held later this month.
With files from Jenna Bridges, Global News
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