Remembering the victims of Calgary’s worst mass murder
Posted Apr 16, 2014 7:54 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Calgary is in mourning Wednesday, many remembering the five who were killed in Tuesday morning’s grisly mass murder.
Various sources have identified the victims as Zackariah Rathwell, Josh Hunter, Lawrence Hong, Jordan Segura and Kaiti Perras.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi, like many in the city, was affected by the loss of so many young people.
“Five young people, with dreams and hopes for their future, getting ready to write final exams and going through the normal stages of life,” he said.
“These were all good kids, there is no question about that, they did nothing wrong and nothing that they did contributed to what happened to them,” said Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson.
The group had been at a party in Brentwood, celebrating the last day of class at the University of Calgary, otherwise known as “Bermuda Shorts Day”, when they were stabbed.
Paramedics pronounced three dead at the scene while another two, a young man and woman, were rushed to hospital in critical condition where they later passed away.
Rathwell and Hunter had been coming off the heels of a packed show at the Palomino in downtown Calgary for their band Zackariah and the Prophets; they were celebrating the release of their EP.
Hunter wrote on his Facebook page: “That was hands down one of the best nights of my life! So grateful for all the amazing people around me,” and “I wish I could hug every single one of you. That was INSANE. Thank you and keep it real.”
Tributes are continuing to come in across social media about the five, including Zackariah’s brother: “I lost my idol. I wanted to share with all of you just how incredible he was. This tragedy will stay with me until the end of my days but I need to focus on the positives of who he was and what he meant to those around him. My brother touched the lives of so many people by being one of the most genuine people ever and I strive everyday to be even half as good as him. I love you Zack. RIP.”
Many are also remembering the other three victims, Jordan Segura, Kaiti Perras and Lawrence Hong.
All of the victims were between 22 and 27.
Matthew de Grood, 22 years old of Calgary, has been charged with five counts of first degree murder.
He’ll appear in provincial court next on April 22nd.
