Father of slain Calgary teen says son's murder had left a hole in an entire community, a day after his killer's guilty plea
The murder of Calgary teen Dean Visser has left a hole in the city's lacrosse community, his father said Thursday, a day after his killer pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.
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Kevin Visser told Postmedia that his son, like many teens, had his moments of rebellion.
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'But contrary to some beliefs, he was not a gang member,' the older Visser said, in a prepared text.
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His son's killer, who can't be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Wednesday in connection with the June 6, 2024, stabbing death of 16-year-old Visser.
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Maloney told Calgary Court of King's Bench Justice Lisa Silver that the victim and killer 'harboured animosity towards one another, and had expressed this animosity on the internet, primarily on Instagram.'
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Victim yelled who are you as he was being stabbed for hoodie
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That evening, Visser was wearing a high-end Bathing Ape hoodie, known as a BAPE, and carrying a second one for his girlfriend, court heard.
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His killer, wearing a black hooded sweater with the hood up ran up from behind with a knife in his hand and stabbed the victim three times, Maloney said.
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'During the stabbing Visser can be heard shouting 'who are you?'' the prosecutor said.
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'(The killer) is heard saying 'give me that BAPE.' Visser replies 'you can have the BAPE.''
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The offender then fled from the scene, running away with the hoodie he took from the deceased.
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The victim was rushed to Alberta Children's Hospital in life-threatening condition and died about two hours later.
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At the request of defence counsel Rebecca Snukal, Silver ordered an updated pre-sentence report on her client ahead of an as yet unscheduled sentencing hearing.
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Kevin Visser said his son was much more than a victim of a deadly, violent act.
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'Dean loved life. loved his friends and was passionate about relationships and was always willing to help those around him,' he wrote.
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'Dean's death has left a hole not only in the lives of family and friends, but also there is a hole in the lacrosse community.'
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