The family of a murdered teenager from Edmonton is calling for those involved to be charged as adults.
Seven teenagers face second-degree murder charges in the death of 16-year-old Karanvir Sahota, and while his family says they are happy with that, they want the justice system to go further.
“Although nothing will ever bring Karan back to our physical side, our healing process begins with Karan’s justice,” said Monica Bins, Sahota’s cousin.
“Our family is more than happy with the immediate response of the police, as well as the quality and integrity of the way they are conducting their investigation,” Beans said.
Sahota was stabbed in the chest on April 8 while waiting for the bus in front of McNally High School. He died at the hospital a week later.
“Since April 8, our family has been living like a nightmare, trying to navigate the world without our Karan,” said Shivlin Sidhu, also a cousin of Sahota. “Our Karan was tragically taken away from us.
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“Now we are left with only memories of Karan, which we pursue from the moment we get up to the moment we fall asleep.
As the minors, the seven teenagers charged cannot be named, but Edmonton police said a 17-year-old girl and two boys, aged 15 and 16, were charged Thursday.
Four other boys – two 14-year-olds, 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds – were formally charged with second-degree murder on Friday.
Bins said the family thought the allegations were appropriate.
“We have full confidence in the Edmonton Police Department,” she said.
Read more: 7 teenagers charged with second-degree murder after being stabbed at McNally High School in Edmonton
Sidhu and Bin said on Saturday that they demanded that those involved be charged as adults.
“These seven people killed our little cousin. He was an innocent man, “Sidhu said. “It was not an accident.
“These killers must be punished as adults,” she said. “If they are not, it will be a serious injustice to Karan.”
Read more: Family seeks justice and answers in death of 16-year-old after McNally attack
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Beans said that while the family hopes the judiciary will prevail, they are also calling on the families of the accused teenagers – who she says are also part of the South Asian community – to step up.
“In our culture and in our community, when a child becomes a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer – their parents go out and take responsibility for their child’s success.
“When these same parents raise monsters, they need to step up and take responsibility for it.
Bins added that there was no apology from any of the other families involved.
“These parents spend their time apologizing for their children and trying to protect them from the law. This is grossly wrong.
“Parents also have to take responsibility.”
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Sidhu said he believed the tragedy was preventable and Sahota’s family was struggling to accept what had happened.
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“[His parents] it can’t stand it, “Sidhu said. “They are in complete shock from their body and emotional states. They are not doing well. And we try to help them as a family – to be strong and to support them. “
The family is grateful for the support they received.
“The South Asian community, along with the people of Edmonton, has given our family so many words and gestures of kindness and support that we remain silent,” Beans said.
They added that they were touched by GoFundMe’s support for the Sahota family – which raised more than $ 230,000 as of Saturday afternoon.
“They don’t have to worry about work, they can just focus on treatment and life for their daughter,” Beans said.
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– With files from Karen Bartko, Global News
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