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Family members of the teen fatally stabbed outside McNally High School this month want the seven youth suspects charged with second-degree murder to be tried as adults.
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Cousins of Karavneer Sahota, 16, told local media Saturday that while the family feels the charges are appropriate, the suspects’ young ages aren’t an excuse and they shouldn’t be treated as minors through the judicial process.
“They were adults in that moment making conscious decisions,” cousin Monica Binns told outlets including GlobalNews.
An autopsy found Sahota died from a stab wound in his chest. A GoFundMe for his parents, started by Binns, said Sahota was left to die in a field after he was attacked near a bus stop outside the school on April 8.
Police charged seven suspects Thursday and Friday, including six boys — two as young as 14 — and a 17-year-old teen girl. Edmonton police have called his killing a “senseless” act that is unheard of in this city and has shaken the community.
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Shivleen Sidhu, another of Sahota’s cousins, said Saturday opting not to treat the seven individuals as adults “will be a serious injustice to Karan.” None of the youth’s names can be released because of Canadian laws protecting minors.
“This was not an accident,” Sidhu said. “It will be a serious injustice to Karan if their identities continue to be protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.”
His cousins describe Sahota as a sweetheart who needs to be remembered that way, and his death cannot be in vain. They are also calling on the families of the teen suspects to step up and take responsibility for what happened.
Police have said the victim and the other teens knew each other and violence erupted between two groups who had a history of disagreements. Investigators don’t believe it was gang-related.
A public candlelight vigil is being held at McNally High School on Friday at 9 pm where a memorial for the former student is growing. His funeral for him is set for Sunday.