Teen dies after reported stabbing in Abbotsford, B.C., park, police say
Victim identified as 15-year-old Billy Ledoux, police say stabbing was targeted
Police say a teenager has died after a reported stabbing at an Abbotsford, B.C., park Sunday night.
The Abbotsford Police Department said officers responded to a report of a stabbing at Larch Park, located in the 2600 block of Beck Road, shortly after 7:30 p.m. PT. Officers found a male teen suffering from critical, life-threatening injuries, police said in a news release.
He died despite efforts from bystanders and first responders to save his life, police said.
On Tuesday, police identified the teenager as 15-year-old Billy Ledoux.
Police said they arrested two suspects, also in their teens. Both have since been released and cleared of their involvement, according to police.
Early indications suggest the incident was targeted, investigators said.
IHIT Sgt. Freda Fong said that police believe the stabbing involved a large group of youth and came after an alteration broke out.
"That's about as much as I can say at this time because we need to accurately determine everyone's involvement, why they were there at the park and exactly whether or not they knew the victim," she told CBC's On The Coast.
Fong said that the stabbing would have a lasting impact on Abbotsford, and that Ledoux's parents had a message for the community.
"Their message is that right now the community needs to come together and to seek peace as opposed to seeking violence and revenge," she said.
"They're going to be asking the community to celebrate his life together and to be as one."
Dozens of people showed up to a vigil Tuesday night to remember Ledoux.
Police have not released the ages of the people involved, only confirming that they're teenagers.
Fong added that it was still bright outdoors when the stabbing happened, and there were several witnesses in the area who are now being interviewed by police.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over the investigation and is asking anyone who was near Larch Park between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, or who has dashcam footage from the area, to contact them.
With files from On The Coast