Folks within the quiet city of Perth, Ont., had been grappling this weekend with the sudden demise of an area teenager and the laying of a homicide cost in opposition to a second teen.
On Friday, Ontario Provincial Police officers responding to a name on the outskirts of the neighborhood southwest of Ottawa found a physique later recognized as 15-year-old Reese Stanzel.
Shortly afterwards, police arrested a 16-year-old at a home within the space and charged her with second-degree homicide.
No one else was arrested in reference to the incident, the OPP mentioned on Monday.
Stanzel’s physique was discovered close to Herriot Avenue, an unpaved dead-end highway resulting in what’s recognized regionally as a hangout spot for teens, based on former Perth mayor John Fenik.
Fenik visited the scene on Sunday, the place police tape nonetheless blocked the highway and the place well-wishers had left flowers and a luxurious toy.
A number of pictures being shared of Stanzel depict a younger man desirous about fishing, searching and different outside pursuits. (Fb)
‘Emotionally numb’
“I assume like all of the residents of the city of Perth, once I heard that information, I used to be in shock and emotionally numb,” Fenik advised CBC on the scene.
“That is one thing that does not occur on this neighborhood. It is a protected neighborhood. It is a close-knit neighborhood. We glance after one another.”
For a number of residents, the very fact one other teen has been charged with homicide has solely deepened the sense of shock.
Due to her age, she can’t be publicly recognized.
Whereas Fenik didn’t know Stanzel’s household or the 16-year-old charged along with his killing, he mentioned the demise had left the city in disbelief.
“Folks’s lives are shattered proper now and, and it is going to take a while for the grief to be handled, to cross and for folks to maneuver on with issues,” he mentioned.
John Fenik, the city’s former mayor, visited the scene of the murder on Sunday. Fenik mentioned Stanzel’s demise had left him ‘in shock and emotionally numb.’ (Man Quenneville/CBC)
Tatianna Mosher, a member of a gaggle advocating for Perth’s first canine park, mentioned she bought to know Stanzel as a result of he volunteered with the group. She described a boy who cherished to hunt, fish and journey his bike.
“He was such , beneficiant, loving soul,” Mosher mentioned.
The Higher Canada District Faculty Board confirmed Stanzel was a pupil at Perth District Collegiate Institute.
“This tragic occasion has had a big affect on our neighborhood and we’re offering psychological well being assist to college students and workers in our college as they course of and address this unhappy information,” superintendent Marsha McNair mentioned in an emailed assertion on Monday.
Associates of Stanzel mentioned they deliberate to depart this cross on the scene the place his physique was discovered. (Provided by Tatianna Mosher)
Over the weekend, locals had been united of their sense of shock.
“It is surprising that, for irrespective of the place you are from or who you’re, that youngsters are killing youngsters,” mentioned Perth resident Peter Communicate. “Have a look at this city. It does not appear like a murderous haven.”
Daina Ramsey additionally mentioned she could not consider what had occurred.
“Two younger youngsters,” she mentioned. “It is a tragedy.”
Accused cannot be recognized
Two of Stanzel’s kin who visited the scene of his demise on Sunday recognized the teenager in pictures shared on social media however declined to talk on report to CBC.
The teenager accused of killing Stanzel was remanded in custody on Saturday till her subsequent scheduled court docket look on Oct. 31, Dickson mentioned.
Whereas Dickson wouldn’t touch upon how Stanzel died, he mentioned OPP “did have proof” to justify a cost of second-degree homicide.
By Sunday, a memorial had gone up close to the place Stanzel’s physique had been discovered. (Man Quenneville/CBC)
