Friends and family of a teen killed in an East York park on Saturday evening are remembering Isaiah Witt, 15, one of two teens confronted by a group and violently attacked.
Witt succumbed to stab wounds after being transported to hospital without vital signs. His friend was taken to hospital in serious condition.
“Isaiah was such a nice kid,” Paige Onofreychuk told Global News on Sunday. “He never really had any problems with anybody. So it’s just so shocking to see that this happened.”
Onofreychuk was a classmate of Witt’s at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts.
“Isaiah wasn’t even involved with any bad things. I wouldn’t imagine anyone not liking him or doing this,” said classmate Nathalee Bryan.
Police were called to Stan Wadlow Park in East York at around 9 p.m. Saturday. It is unclear what led to the confrontation.
In a gathering for Witt at the Bethany Baptist Church, where he was a Camp Yolo member, his family told Global news that friends described him as “caring, thoughtful and full of love and happiness.”
“His mother is in awe and completely moved by the sheer number of people whose lives he touched in such a positive way evidenced by the stories and support pouring forth from all the communities of which Isaiah was a part,” said the statement on behalf of the family.
“He would literally give the shirt off his back to someone in need, even if it meant that he’d be cold. If he saw that you were down he would find a way to help you. Whether that meant trying to cheer you up, offering his help or just being there as a friend.”
Police said four people were arrested, and as a result of the investigation, an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old man were charged with second-degree murder.
There has been a steady outpouring of support for Isaiah’s family on social media.
“We were saddened to learn that a Grade 10 student at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts passed away this weekend,” the Toronto District School Board said in an email statement to Global News on Sunday.
“Our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends. Supports for students and staff will be in place on Tuesday and will remain in place for as long as needed.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Witt family.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).