Calgary stabbings anniversary marked with vigil, memorial candle lightings

Wednesday marks one year since five young people, celebrating the end of the school year at a house party in Brentwood, were stabbed to death.

Lawrence Hong, 27, Joshua Hunter, 23, Kaitlin Perras, 23, Zackariah Rathwell, 21and Jordan Segura, 22, were killed in the early-morning attack.

Mathew De Grood, 23, is awaitingtrial on five counts of first-degree murder.

On Tuesday night about 20 people held a candlelight vigil outside the house where it happened.

"We wanted to think about them and pray for them on the eve knowing it was so close to the time that it happened," said Sara Francis, who helped organize the vigil.

JP Chan, who was a friend of Lawrence Hong, says it has been a challenge to move on.

"Lawrence was someone I hold dear to my heart and his loss is definitely something we have to deal with on a daily basis and we miss him all the time, constantly," he said.

The sombre anniversary coincides with Bermuda Shorts Day, a55-year campus tradition.

But this year, there will be somestudents who don't feel like partying, said U of C chaplain Kelly Johnson.

"It's been tough.It's been a tough year.It was an incredibly difficult thing for all of Calgary," he said.

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Johnson, who counseled students after the stabbings, says there will be several opportunities at the University of Calgary on Wednesday for people to remember the five victims.

The public is invited to light memorial candles between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.in the Jack Simpson Gym.

"It helps us to figure out what makes us human and realize no one is immune from grieving and sorrows," said Johnson.

Sober alternative

The university will also be offering a sober and alternative to Bermuda Shorts Day with the UCalgary Strong Festival.

The event will feature an artisan market with free donuts and coffee. There will also be a drumming circle, performances by the Green Fools Theatre and activities like geocaching, zumba and yoga.

"It's been pretty impressive to see the way that people have mobilized," said Johnson.

"We need to be more intentional about building something that is enduring and is going to be a great gift to all of us."