Dozens gather for vigil honouring 18-year-old stabbed outside B.C. high school

Dozens of people gathered at a candlelight vigil Sunday for a young man who was fatally stabbed outside a high school in Surrey, B.C., last week.

Family and friends mourningMehakpreet Sethi, 18, came together at TamanawisSecondary School to share memories of their brother, son and friend.

"I will not be able to see him laugh, see him smile," saidsister ArshpreetSethi, whose family emigrated from India severalyears ago.

"He was supposed to be enrolled in the army. He was so excited about being a citizen here. He was like, 'Arsh, I'm going to be in the army so you're going to be proud of your brother.'

"I will not be able to see him in that uniform anymore."

Arshpreet saidMehakpreet was at the high school on Tuesday to pick up theirbrother around noon. Police said afight broke out and ended withMehakpreetbeing stabbed.

"I plead for justice for my brother because I don't want any other family to experience what I have," Arshpreet said.

Arshpreetsaid no one told herfamilyMehakpreet had died until late afternoon.

RCMP arrested a 17-year-old suspect identified by witnesses after the stabbing. Arshpreet said her family hopes the suspect is charged as an adult, but has been frustrated by the pace of the investigation.

"All [police]can say is 'We can't disclose this to you, we can't disclose that to you,'" Arshpreetsaid.

"We are not getting any answers. The only answer we're getting is to 'have faith.'"

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed Monday no charges have been laid, but said investigators are dedicated to the case.

"We don't have an update to provide at this time but we do have very regularcontact with the family," said Sgt. Timothy Pierotti.

Mounties have not released any information around a possible motive, but saidMehakpreetand theattacker knew each other.

The incident is not believed to be related to the ongoing gang conflict in the Lower Mainland.

Police are looking to speak withstudents who saw the stabbing or who have cellphone video of the incident.Anyone with information is asked to callIHIT.