Gabriel Klein: Abbotsford school stabbing suspect charged

Gabriel Klein, 21, has been charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with the attack against the two girls.

But while police say they believe Klein comes from Alberta and has been in the Vancouver area since about February, they say they know little else about him.

They are asking anyone who has had any contact with him in recent months to contact investigators.

Klein is expected to make his next court appearance Monday.

A video of the stabbing has been circulating on the Internet and Abbotsford school district Supt. Kevin Godden asked for people to stop sharing it, a sentiment echoed by police.

The video, apparently taken from the second floor overlooking the school’s atrium, shows a man in a grey T-shirt standing over a girl and frantically stabbing at her as she screams on the floor. A person in an apron then approaches the man, who suddenly drops his weapon and backs away.

Last night, friends and family of murdered 13-year-old Letisha Reimer gathered for a vigil to remember the fallen teen.

Today a memorial continues to grow outside of Abbotsford Senior Secondary, with flowers, cards, and candles accumulating as the community shares its shock and grief at the tragedy.

The school will remain closed for the rest of the week, while the gym at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church across the street will remain open for students and family to access counselling and information.

The second victim, a 14-year-old girl identified as a close friend of Reimer’s remains in hospital in stable condition. Police say she was badly shaken emotionally, and is looking at a difficult path to recovery.

Meanwhile a pair of crowdfunding campaigns have sprung up for the girls. While police have not verified either of their authenticity, the campaign for Letisha’s family claims to have been started by a family friend and has brought in nearly $30,000 in less than a day.

Agencies/Canadajournal