Kamloops reeling after 'baseball bat' attack leaves Jessie Simpson on life support

Jessie Simpson's friends and family are sayinggoodbyeon social mediawiththe 18-year-old on life support after a severe beating Sunday from a stranger who some witnessesallege may have suspected Simpson was a thief.

Neighboursreported to police thatthe teen was chased and beatenafter hewas spotted around 4:50a.m. PT in a driveway in a neighbourhood that's had several recent break-ins.

Family friend Christina Fordesaid Simpsonwas making his way home after a party in an unfamiliar neighbourhoodwhen "he crossed the wrong driveway."

Fordespeculated why the beatinghappened.

"That man saw him as a threat and chased him down the street with a baseball bat," said Forde, who lives near Simpson's family in Savona, outside Kamloops B.C.

Investigators are appealing for witnessesto the alleged beatingthat occurred at about 5 a.m. PT, on June 19.

"A homeowner looked out his window and saw a male in his driveway," saidRMCPCpl.JodieShelkie.

Witnesses told policethe homeowner attacked the person in the driveway with a weaponandended up on nearbyHolt Street.

"It''s a horrible misunderstanding," said Forde whose daughters grew up with Simpson. She said people are horrified to learn that this young man remains in a coma.

"Jessie was a special boy. He was friendly and courteous. He's Jessie. He's always been happy and joking. Nobody is taking the news very well. The whole community is kind of grey," said Forde, who started a fundraising campaign for the family.

Simpson was taken to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops with life-threatening injuries, according to Kamloops RCMP.

"Jessie is in hospital in a coma clinging to life. It breaks my heart! To know Jessie and his humor, giant smile and the biggest blue eyes you would know that he did not deserve a baseball bat beating from an unknown man," wroteForde on a GoFundMe page.

Police have not confirmed what kind of weapon was used in the beating, and continue to search for witnesses.

"The Doctor's have told us today that Jessie is brain dead, we are trying to get Jessie's brother, Blake here from the Royal Military College in Nova Scotia so that the family can be together when we take Jessie off of life support. Thank you for all that you have done for Jessie," a personclaiming to be the teen's relativeRon Shewchukwrote on a GoFundMe page for the family.

Friends linked to Simpson's Facebook page wrote emotionalmessages to his family in the past few days.

"Shine onJessieSimpson. You will never be forgotten.You have left a lasting imprint on everyone's life. Lifeisn'tfair, and your 18 years were cut too short bya senseless act.Kamloopswill never be the same withoutyou,"KaterinaBriannaBishop-Charvetwrote June 20.

Kristopher Teichrieb, 39, has been charged with attempted murder in the case. He's set to appear in Kamloops B.C. court on June 23.