Vigil held for teen who died after attack at Edmonton high school

The sound of a Sikh prayer echoed across an Edmonton high school field Friday night as loved ones of a 16-year-old boy who died after an attack returned to the place he was stabbed to perform a cleansing ceremony.

Monica Binns said a prayer recited by a leader from a Sikh temple during the ceremony would help Karanveer Sahota's family cleanse their memory of the McNally High School field as the place where her baby cousin was attacked while waiting for a bus on April 8.

"Instead we want it to be remembered as a place where those that loved him and were touched by him gathered to love, honor and pay respects for his last moments on earth," Binns said as she wept and described the ceremony called 'Ardas'.

"Look, Karan. Look how many people love you and are touched by you. We're all here because your impact on us has brought us all together," she said.

Police charged six boys and one girl between the ages of 14 and 17 with second-degree murder after Sahota died in hospital a week after the attack.

All seven are out on bail and are to appear in court in May.

Police Supt. Shane Perka has said the youths had a history of disagreeing with each other, but there are no indications the assault on Sahota was gang-related.

On Friday, some students wept, while some family members and friends of Sahota's stood silently around a tree adjacent to the bus stop where he was attacked. Community members placed flowers and candles around a photo of Sahota that leaned against a tree.

Before the cleansing ceremony, several of Sahota's cousins and friends gave speeches about how intelligent, mature and thoughtful he was.

They said he loved listening to and producing music. He was also a good cook, an even better basketball player, and cared deeply for his mother, father and 13-year-old sister.

"The name Karanveer translates to brave warrior in Punjabi," said Sahota's cousin, Shivleen Sidhu.

"That's exactly what our Karanveer was. Brave and strong. He was a true fighter until the end."

Sidhu said that while Sahota fought for his life in hospital for a week, family members from across the world came together to send him off to heaven.

"Karanveer has taught us many lessons in his short life but the most important lesson that he has taught us is to cherish all of the times that we have with our family and loved ones because in the blink of an eye, our life can change forever," she said.