Devan Bracci-Selvey, fatally stabbed at his Hamilton school, remembered as sweet, respectful teen

Devan Bracci-Selvey was a shy, quiet 14-year-old who loved animals, according to his sister.

But he also suffered at the hands of bullies.

Police won't confirm whetherbullying and the attack were directly connected, but for family members and the wider community, they were.

"What we want outta this is [for] people to notice bullying is not right and should be stopped at all costs," Devan's sister,Sammie Bracci-Colling, told CBC News over Facebook.

Devan was a "great kid" who was always kind and helpful, she said, adding he was deeply loved by his cousins.

Bracci-Collingwas unwilling to say more about thebullying, citing concerns around evidence and a desire to see justice served. But a social media post by Devan's mother, from early September,points to an incident when he was allegedly jumped by a group of kids and his bike was stolen.

TheGoFundMe campaign launched to help cover his funeral costs, also says Devan "tried to get help with the bullying he was experiencing."

Det.-Sgt. StevenBereziukof the Hamilton Police Servicesaid there was a "relationship" between the teen and the accused, but said he couldn't provide more detail because it would "speak to the evidence" of the investigation.

Asked Tuesday about whether the teen was bullied, he would only say police believe they have a "pretty good picture" of what was going on between Devanand the people who allegedly attacked him.

"It'ssomething we continue to investigate right now," Bereziuk explained.

Police have arrested four people. A 14-year-old and 18-year-old are charged with first-degree murder. Two 16-year-olds, a boy and girl, havealso been arrested. Police say all four people are either students or past students at the school, which Devan also attended.

Watch neighbour Kandace Brenn talk about loss of Devan Bracci-Selvey

Hamilton woman speaks about victim of high school stabbing

5 years ago

Duration 0:24

Kandace Brenn speaks about the loss of Devan Selvey, who was her niece's friend.

The GoFundMe, started by another one of Devan'ssisters, describes the teen as her "best friend."

"I don't know how to live without him," it reads.

More than two dozen people gathered around a makeshift memorial outside Devan's house, a few blocks from the school, onTuesday evening. Music was softly playing and people of avariety of ages stood around a small fire pit. Some held candles. A pair of portraits showing the teen, and surrounded by bouquets, sat near the centre of the group.

Kandace Brenn, wholives near the school, says Bracci-Selvey would often hang out at her house.

She said he was a sweet, respectful kid, who didn't open up to many people and often wore the hood of his sweatshirt over his head, making it hard to read his face.

"But once he warms up to you it's phenomenal because hejust smiles," said Brenn.

"When he smiles you don't take that for granted because he's not a kid who smiles all the time."

Brenn said her niece called her Monday afternoon, asking if she could bring her and her best friend, Devan'sgirlfriend, to the hospital.

When she picked the girls up outside the school, Brenn said she knew right away something was very wrong. Devan'sgirlfriend was devastated.

"Her mom was holding her. She just looked like she wanted to collapse, like her world justcompletely crashed between her feet."

"She felt like she couldn't leave his side for a second."

Devanwas never one to pick fights, shesaid, but he also wasn't afraid to speak up if he needed help.

"He did have a voice and he used it," Brennadded."Bullying has got to stop."

A candlelight memorial will be held outside the school on Wednesday evening.