Dozens of people gathered Tuesday evening for 17-year-old Ethan Bespflug’s candlelight vigil in Surrey, B.C.
“It is nice to have all this love and support, and it shows the magnitude of how he touched people’s lives and the person he was,” said Holly Indridson, Ethan’s mother.
“He was a genuine person. He was passionate and loving.”
Friends and family gathered near King George Boulevard and 100th Avenue, where Bespflug was fatally stabbed on April 11.
Bespflug was killed following an altercation on a Surrey bus.
“He was the best kid,” said Michael Gallacher, Ethan’s stepfather.
“I’ll miss him to death.”
A group of Ethan’s friends talked about him Tuesday night. They said Ethan’s smile and kindness will be something they always remember.
A suspect is in custody and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the killing of Bespflug.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said officers arrested 20-year-old Kaiden Mintenko of Burnaby at a residence on Sunday. The charge was laid on Monday afternoon.
“They were known to each other through a third party,” Sgt. Timothy Pierotti said in a Monday press conference. “We can confirm this was not a random attack.”
Mintenko was known to police, he added.
“It helps knowing there is a person in custody and they can’t hurt anyone else’s child,” Indridson said.
“No one should have to go through that pain.”