'At least my son didn't die by himself': Vigil held for Mingle Room shooting victim

  • 主题发起人 主题发起人 guest
  • 开始时间 开始时间

guest

Moderator
管理成员
注册
2002-10-07
消息
402,296
荣誉分数
76
声望点数
0
Donna Dickson, Ashton Dickson’s mother, had tears in her eyes as she watched the dozens of friends, family and members of the community lay roses at the foot of a lamp-post where her son’s photo stood.

“At least my son didn’t die by himself,” she said on Wednesday night.

A candlelight vigil began shortly after 8 p.m. in front of the Mingle Room bar at 470 Rideau St. where Ashton Dickson was shot on June 26. He died at the scene after an altercation that started inside the bar. About 50 people came to share their memories of Ashton and mourn the loss of a young man whose kindness touched many.

“One month after the senseless killing of our beloved Ashton James Dickson, we’re remembering him tonight in this candlelight vigil and honouring his memory,” said his aunt, Jacqueline Britto. “We miss him and love him more than words can describe.”

Ashton Dickson, 25, a popular local athlete, was gunned down around 1 a.m. after an argument spilled outside.


A candlelight vigil was held for Ashton Dickson on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.


While police were reported to have already received surveillance video from other businesses in the area, they said in a release Friday they believe there were other witnesses who might be of assistance. Police have not yet made any arrests or laid any charges and are urging the public to come forward with more information.

Coun. Mathieu Fleury was present at the gathering Wednesday and stood silently in the crowd. Guests of the Econo Lodge directly across the street stood outside the door of the hotel and watched from their windows.

Vanessa Pitre, 22, who is from Ottawa, grew up with Dickson and could not attend his funeral earlier this month because she was out of province. Now back in her hometown, she said it was important for her to be at the vigil.

“(He) he was literally always smiling. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without a big smile on his face,” Pitre said.


Ashton Dickson’s mother, Donna Dickson, far right, wipes away tears as his aunt, Jacqueline Britto, centre, also chokes back tears while addressing the crowd at the vigil.


Dickson is not the first of Pitre’s friends to lose their lives to violence, she said.

“I just want it to stop. (Dickson) was a great guy and I want to be here mostly for his family and other friends, and show that he was just loved,” Pitre said. “These altercations that happen like this are unnecessary and it ends such a beautiful life.”

Dickson’s family said in a statement they would like whoever has information about the crime to share it with police.

“And for those of you who are involved in this crime, we’re asking you to turn yourself in,” Britto said.

With files from Vito Pilieci

oblackmore@postmedia.com

twitter.com/olivia_blckmr


Ashton Dickson’s cousin Layton Aiken, left, pauses in front of the shrine of roses and candles laid around Ashton’s picture at the vigil.


A candlelight vigil was held for Ashton Dickson on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.


A candlelight vigil was held for Ashton Dickson on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.

b.gif


查看原文...
 
后退
顶部