He was a soft-spoken teen who had recently embraced his Haida roots.
At eight per cent body fat, Devon Allaire-Bell was a warrior, but wouldn’t raise a hand unless it was in self-defence, according to his dad.
“He got along with everyone, he had a smile for everyone,” Wayne Bell told The Leader Wednesday. “He was the kind of kid that when I came home from work, every day, he had the same question for me `how was work dad?’ “
On Sunday night, 19-year-old Allaire Bell and his life-long pal Jack Neilsen were at Frank Hurt Secondary school, near 138 Street and 77 Avenue, drinking and playing soccer.
Six males confronted them, drew a knife and stabbed them.
Allaire-Bell died shortly after and Nielsen remains in serious condition in hospital.
Investigators believe the six suspects fled southwest on foot through a greenbelt that leads onto 76 Avenue.
The suspects are all described as young Indo-Canadian males, dressed in dark clothing and thought to be approximately 20 years of age.
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Bell said if knives weren’t involved, the scrap would have had an entirely different outcome.
Allaire-Bell was a involved in mixed-martial arts and was athletic, with interests in parkour, boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai fighting.
“I’m still trying to come to grips with the whole thing, the senselessness of it,” Bell said. “What kind of society have we become that we accept this kind of behaviour from anybody.”
An outpouring of grief has started on the social networking site Facebook for Allaire-Bell.
“Rest In Peace Devon you were amazing and touched so many peoples lives,” wrote Chantel Thompson. “Whenever I saw you, I got a warm feeling inside because of your positive and caring energy… Rest in paradise handsome.”
A vigil was held at Frank Hurt on Monday night, where a good number of people came out.
Bell was there, and was taken aback by the number of people who came out.
“He impressed so many people, I’m amazed at the outpouring of sympathy that we have gotten from so many people,” Bell said. “It’s absolutely amazing the lives he had touched.”
The emotion of the night was echoed on Facebook.
“R.I.P devon, if you could see the turn out yesterday, you’d see you gunna be greatly greatly missed,” Dylan Dawson posted on Facebook. “The heavens have a new angel now, watch down on your family big guy.”
“My deepest, heartfelt condolences to Wayne and Cynthia and all the family members,” wrote Jeannie Klein. “You are a much loved and respected family, and this should not happen to your beautiful boy.”
Bell said parents are never ready for this outcome.
“I sat back in preparation of them (my sons) burying me, not this,” Bell said. “I’m so proud to have had him for 19 years.”
Investigators would like to speak to anyone who can provide details about any suspicious activity around the school or the nearby greenbelt between 8 and 9 p.m. on Sunday night.
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT TIP Line at 1-877-551-4448 (IHIT). If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
kdiakiw@surreyleader.com
