Ethan Bespflug had texted a good friend that two different younger individuals had boarded the bus and he needed to get off on the subsequent cease with the intention to keep away from them
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Printed Apr 13, 2023 • Final up to date 9 hours in the past • 2 minute learn
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Ethan Bespflug was an excellent child and older brother who labored onerous, helped take care of his 4 siblings, and cherished fishing along with his stepfather, his aunt stated.
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On Tuesday, the 17-year-old was fatally stabbed on a Metro Vancouver bus.
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Andrea Van Der Gracht stated she’s at the moment caring for Bespflug’s sisters, aged 11 months and two years previous, as his mother and father attempt to come to phrases with the tragedy.
She stated his mom realized one thing was flawed when she tracked Bespflug’s cellphone to a hospital in New Westminster. She rushed there and was instructed her son had died.
“This can be a actually good household, and that is going to interrupt them,” Van Der Gracht stated Thursday.
Bespflug additionally loved spending time along with his associates and enjoying video video games, and he usually picked up odd jobs to earn some more money, stated Van Der Gracht.
RCMP have stated the stabbing occurred simply earlier than 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on a bus in Surrey, not removed from the King George SkyTrain station.
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Police have but to make any arrests and so they’re nonetheless looking for witnesses.
The Mounties have stated the stabbing seems to have been a focused, remoted incident, with no connection to gang battle within the Decrease Mainland.
Van Der Gracht stated Bespflug had gone to a good friend’s home after faculty on Tuesday.
He recurrently took the bus to Surrey, the place his mom would choose him as much as drive dwelling to Abbotsford, she stated, including that the household had moved from Surrey final 12 months, partly due to considerations about crime.
Bespflug had texted a good friend that two different younger individuals had boarded the bus and he needed to get off on the subsequent cease with the intention to keep away from them, she stated.
They allegedly stabbed him after he obtained as much as attempt to get off the bus, she stated.
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Van Der Gracht is asking for safety employees on board buses, noting the stabbing that killed her nephew was the second in as many weeks on a bus in Surrey.
The primary sufferer, whose throat was slashed on April 1, is now recovering at dwelling. A person has been charged with terrorism offences in that case, and police have stated the assaults have been unrelated.
“As a neighborhood, we have to be collectively,” Van Der Gracht stated.
“We have to hold one another secure. Perhaps we’d like extra psychological well being assist, extra neighborhood outreach applications for teenagers and youth.”
Premier David Eby stated Thursday that police have stepped up their patrols on buses and trains after Bespflug’s dying, calling it each dad or mum’s nightmare.
Public Security Minister Mike Farnworth is reaching out to transit authorities and police to see if extra sources are wanted to make sure security, Eby stated.
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