Community gathers for memorial, vigil for murdered Abbotsford student

ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) – It’ll be a weekend of mourning for people in Abbotsford after the stabbing death of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer on Tuesday at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School.

The community is still trying to come to grips with what happened and they’re doing what they can to rally around her family and the family of a second girl who was attacked at the school. A vigil will be held at the school at 7 p.m.

The local Yuk Yuk’s comedy club is taking all the proceeds from three shows tonight toward helping both Reimer’s family and that of her friend. A GoFundMe campaign also continues to grow — you can learn more about that by clicking here.

Memorial for young victim

A special service was held this morning for Reimer’s friends and family.

Pastor Matt Ewert at the South Abbotsford Church says Reimer was passionate about helping others. “You couldn’t be around her and not have some of [her energy] rub off on you and just feel some incredible joy and happiness about life. Again, her relationship with Jesus was the place that all came from. We know that.”

Letisha Reimer’s youth pastor Mike Olynyk shares a bit about who she was, speaking after service at South Abbotsford Church to remember her. pic.twitter.com/REJy2ocXX1

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) November 4, 2016

Others say she had a “beaming smile,” and spent time helping the homeless and guiding the local youth.

Police seek information on suspect

Yesterday, homicide investigators released an image of the 21-year-old man charged in connection to the random stabbing. The CCTV image of Gabriel Brandon Klein was taken at a liquor store near the school just hours before the attack.

The suspect was subdued by staff at the school quickly after the attack and held until officers arrived just minutes later. Klein has been charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault for the attack on a second teen at the school.

Klein is still in police custody, but the Intergrated Homicide Investigation Team is now trying to clear up some details, saying he was actually wearing shoes when he entered the school despite earlier reports that said he wasn’t.

Police say Klein is of “no fixed address,” and has been in Metro Vancouver off and on over the past several months. They say he appears to be from Alberta but doesn’t have a criminal record. “We’re looking for anyone who has been in contact with Mr. Klein, whether it be in face-to-face contact, through social media or through emails,” says Staff Sergeant Jennifer Pound. “We want to speak with those individuals.”

The district says the school will remain closed until at least November 7th and that support services are being offered at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church at 33333 Mayfair Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

And the district is considering increased security measures at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School. The head of the BC Teachers Federation says while he supports the need for a safety review following the attack, Glenn Hansman doesn’t want to see metal detectors and security guards at schools. “It’s appropriate for the province and the school district to be taking a look while at the same time knowing we’re not setting up this false expectation that the schools are going to be in permanent lockdown.”

IHIT tweeted they are thankful to the public for the tips helping them with their ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information about Klein is asked to call IHIT at 1.877.551.4448.