14-year-old arrested after 15-year-old boy stabbed to death in Vancouver park

A 14-year-old boy remains in custody charged with one count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose in connection with the death of a 15-year-old boy who was stabbed in a west side Vancouver park Saturday afternoon.

The victim died Sunday afternoon in B.C. Children's Hospital, 24 hours after being stabbed in the chest during an altercation between two groups of youths at Almond Park in the city's Dunbar neighbourhood.

Vancouver Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison said the young suspect hasa bail hearing scheduled for Monday afternoon.

Addison said he could notaddress questions about whether any of the youths had history with the police, why the two groups were in the park,how many individuals were involved or what schools they attended.

"We believe we understand what happened," said Addison.

The homicide unit was still collecting evidence, he said, but hadenough information to lay a single charge of possession of a weaponfor a dangerous purpose against the 14-year-old arrested Saturdaynear the park.

"These are kids, and these are kids whose lives have been drastically changed forever. In the case of the victim who's now died, this is a teenage boy who's never going to learn to drive, who's never going to go to grad, who's not going to go to college, who's not going to get married," Addison said.

Police earlier released the name of the victim but have now withdrawn it.

"Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, except in certain circumstances ... the name of a youth homicide victim shouldn't be published if the suspect is also a youth," said Addison. "It isa bit of a grey area, so out of an abundance of caution, I'm not going to name the youth victim at this point."

The fight in Almond Park broke out in broad daylight at 1:30 p.m. PT Saturday and was witnessed by a number of bystanders, including adults, according to Addison.

The suspect was arrested near the park.

B.C.'s French school board says it has provided students and staff with on-site support. An online fundraising campaign set up for the victim's family has raised over $17,000.

The Vancouver police homicide unit is now in charge of the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.