Barrie, Ont. family of homicide victim releases statement
The family of Gabriel Neil, a recent homicide victim in London, Ont., is breaking its silence.
In a statement to CTV News, a representative from the family says they are grateful for the care Gabe received and the family is asking for privacy.
"We are absolutely devastated by the loss of Gabe. He was a gentle and kind soul who made friends wherever he went. He was excited to be starting his first year of Kinesiology at Western and had aspirations of one day becoming a doctor.
We would like to thank the staff at Western University, London Police Service, the paramedics that responded to the scene, the emergency room staff at London Health Sciences Center, Victoria Hospital, and a special thank you to the staff of the Critical Care Trauma Centre, for the care they have provided not only to Gabe but to us as well.
We will not be conducting interviews or issuing any further statements at this time and we ask for privacy as we grieve together with our family."
CTV News reached out to staff at Simcoe County District School Board as well as Bear Creek Secondary School where Neil attended and received a statement from one of the young man’s former coaches.
"Unfortunately, at this time we are dealing with grieving staff and football players. From a parent/coach perspective Gabe was the kind of guy you want your daughter to bring home. He was a very personable and compassionate individual. I had the pleasure of going on rugby tour to the U.K. with him and he was an exemplar student/player representing our school and country. Please do your best to portray him as the amazing young man he was and how tragic and senseless this was.”
According to the school board, the Traumatic Incident Response Team (TIRT) has been contacted and are available to provide students and staff with support as required.
The 18-year-old from Barrie, Ont. was found in the area of Western Road and Sarnia Road around 2 a.m. Saturday.
Neil was found suffering from serious injuries and was rushed to hospital.
According to police, Neil later died as a result of his injuries.
Aliyan Ahmed, 21, of London has been arrested and charged with one count of manslaughter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.