SURREY — Homicide investigators have made an arrest in the 2014 stabbing murder of Surrey teenager Jaylen Sandhu.
“It’s finally something positive,” Jaylen’s dad, Danny Sandhu, told the Now from Surrey provincial court today, where he’s waiting to see the suspect’s first appearance later this afternoon.
The suspect was arrested Friday in another province and has been charged with second-degree murder. “The individual charged was 17 at the time of the offence and therefore cannot be named,” Sgt. Stephanie Ashton, spokeswoman for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, noted at a press conference Monday morning.
She said the victim and suspect, now 18, knew one another. His identity is shielded by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
“At this point it’ll be before the courts so I can’t really get into the specifics of what we know at this time, however, we do know that it was an altercation, that they were both 17 at the time and that it was a high school incident.”
Jaylen was stabbed in the 16300-block of 88th Avenue in Fleetwood on Dec. 18, 2014. He got away from his attacker, sought help from a resident nearby and was taken to hospital where he died.
Jaylen had been set to graduate from Fleetwood Park Secondary School in the spring.
His family is planning to hold a pub fundraiser in Fleetwood in May to raise money for a scholarship in the 17-year-old boy’s name.
“He was a great kid,” his dad Danny Sandhu told the Now. “He had a big heart. Football was his first love.”
The Jaylen Sandhu Dreams Foundation provides an annual $1,000 scholarship to a student at the school and is holding its second annual fundraiser on May 22 at Edith and Arthur’s Public House at 8410 160th Ave. for the scholarship, to “support families who are in need of financial support for youth programs such as sports and arts.”
It will start at 5 p.m. and $20 paid in advance or at the door will get you a burger and a beer.
“We are looking for supporters who can contribute raffle prizes or donations to support the fundraiser,” Danny Sandhu said. “We welcome any contribution.”
The Jaylen Sandhu – Rest in Peace facebook page pays tribute to “an amazing son, brother and friend.”
On it, one of his teachers remembered “his beautiful smile, playful humour, and lovely nature.”
He is survived by his mom, dad, older sister and two older brothers.
tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com
