Father of Brandon Volpi, prom night stabbing victim, seeks justice

Ottawa police investigators continue to search for suspects as the father of an 18-year-old stabbing victim anxiously awaits answers.

Brandon Volpi died early Saturday morning after he was stabbed in the chest and neck outside the Les Suites Hotel in downtown Ottawa.

• Brandon Volpi, Ottawa student, dead after prom night stabbing

“I miss my son. This is very, very hard for us, for the family," his father, Danny Volpi, said Sunday outside his south end home. "I hope the Ottawa police do their job and find these people right now because justice needs to be served.”

Police have interviewed several witnesses and taped off at least two scenes connected to the homicide, including outside the front of the hotel and in a parking lot beside the Arts Court one block away.

Witnesses said a student asked for an escort into the hotel and Volpi offered his help. He was then attacked after he went outside, witnesses said.Volpi, a Grade 12 student at St. Patrick’s High School, had been at a post-prom party.

Students who spoke to CBC News said a fight broke out, which led to the stabbing.

The student that asked for help also suffered minor injuries in the incident, which police said likely involved alcohol.

“Brandon died helping his friends … he’s a hero in my books,” said Danny Volpi.

Students from three Catholic high schools in the city's south end — St. Joseph's, St. Pius X and St. Patrick's — were staying at the hotel during prom night.

Danny Volpi said he was told his son was ambushed by as many as 20 people, but police have not confirmed that.

Volpi said Brandon was going to work a summer job in construction and then enter Algonquin College in the police foundations program.

Vigil planned for Sunday

Friends and classmates planned a vigil for Sunday evening at the spot Brandon Volpi was stabbed.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board said it would co-operate with the police investigation and would offer counselling for students and staff for as long as needed.

The Ottawa police major crimes section is investigating the homicide, which is the city's third of 2014.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Ottawa police at 613-236-1222, ext. 5493 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477.