Western mourns the loss of a freshman when the man accused of his death appears in court – London | The Canadian News

The Western University community continues to mourn the death of an 18-year-old freshman over the weekend when the man charged with murder in the case made a brief court appearance.

Gabriel Neil, a first-year health sciences student, was assaulted and seriously injured near Western and Sarnia highways around 2 a.m. Saturday, police said. He was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Details on the case remain limited. Police have not released further information about the night itself.

A 21-year-old man, Aliyan Ahmed, was arrested and charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter in Neil’s death. He appeared in court Tuesday on EMDC video. Her attorney, Sam Puchala, told the court that she was seeking “to initiate bail as soon as possible,” according to the London Free Press. report.

Ahmed’s case is expected to return to court later this week, according to the report.

A statement issued by a representative of Neil’s family described the 18-year-old as a “gentle and kind soul who made friends wherever he went.”

“He was excited to begin his first year of kinesiology at Western and had aspirations to one day become a physician,” the statement read.

The statement thanked staff members from Western University, London Police Service, Middlesex-London Paramedic Service, London Health Sciences Center and Critical Care Trauma Center “for the care they have provided not only to Gabe, but to us as well.”

“We will not conduct interviews or issue further statements at this time and ask for privacy as we cry with our family.”

Western President Alan Shephard said in a statement to the school community that the university was “devastated by this senseless loss, and that they are heartbroken for his family, friends and all who knew him.”

“While this terrible tragedy is unrelated to the other incidents this weekend, I know it has resulted in heightened concerns for safety on campus. Please be assured that this case is being fully investigated by (London Police) and that a suspect from the London community is in custody. “

University Student Council officials said they were devastated by the news of Neil’s death and offered their condolences to the young man’s family, friends and others on campus who have been affected by the news.

“We know this tragedy will be difficult to process given how challenging the past few days have been for our student community,” said one statement issued Tuesday by USC read.

“We are postponing our scheduling this next week so students can take time to process and access health and wellness resources. As we take the time to mourn this loss, we look forward to supporting each other and supporting each other through this difficult time. “

Neil’s death came in the middle of a particularly harrowing and violent first week and weekend of the school year for the city and the university.

Western has been rocked by allegations of sexual violence on campus, and university bosses said Monday they had received four formal complaints from students in the past week.

The university also said it was investigating additional allegations over the weekend on social media related to the Medway-Sydenham Hall residence.

Some reports suggested that 30 or more students may have been victims, yet no reports related to the residence had been formally presented to police as of mid-afternoon Tuesday, Chief Steve Williams said during a virtual press conference. Police are investigating the allegations.

Williams said they had received three complaints of alleged sexual assault on campus that took place prior to the Medway-Sydenham allegations, involving four student victims.

A suspected student was arrested in one of the complaints, but was later released and no charges have been filed, he said.

“While there is currently no information linking the three previous allegations to the events that allegedly occurred at Medway-Sydenham Hall, these incidents remain under active investigation and the individuals involved have been identified,” Williams said. Police are working to determine if any of the complaints may be related.

Williams emphasized during the press conference that police and community partners would support those who approach them.

“There is no place for gender-based violence in our community, and we encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence to report the incident to the police so that the matter can be fully investigated,” he said.

Williams also dispelled rumors online that Neil’s death and the allegations involving Medway-Sydenham were linked in some way.

“These two incidents should not, in any way, be connected, and these kinds of unfounded comments are hurtful to Mr. Neil’s family,” he said.

London police are also investigating what they say were two separate targeted shootings in the city in a matter of hours.

One occurred in the far northwest corner of the city around 7:55 p.m. Police had responded to the Wateroak Drive and Heardcreek Trail area for reports of multiple shootings.

There, they located Lynda Cruz Marques, a local RN, with life-threatening injuries. Marques was taken to the hospital and later succumbed to her injuries.

Police have not said if there are any suspects in custody.

The first shooting of the day occurred around 12:15 p.m. near Vinewood Court and Cleveland Avenue in the city’s Glen Cairn neighborhood.

Officers at the scene located a man with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. He was later transferred to the hospital.

Two people, an 18-year-old Londoner and a young man who cannot be identified, were arrested and charged with multiple charges in the incident, police said Tuesday.

The shooting led to the temporary closure of nearby St. Sebastian Catholic Elementary School.

– With files from Sawyer Bogdan, Jacquelyn LeBel, Kelly Wang and The Canadian Press