Posted on 12/05/2004 7:03:35 AM PST by UpHereEh
DREW STEWART died defending a pregnant friend from a group of thugs in a restaurant where he was playing pool, his grieving mom said yesterday. "He would defend anybody," said Cheryl Stewart, wiping tears from her swollen eyes.
"That's why he had so many friends, because he would do anything for them. He was my hero and my best friend."
The 16-year-old was pronounced dead at St. Michael's hospital after being stabbed outside a Coxwell Ave. restaurant, south of O'Connor Dr., around 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Moments after her only child was taken away in an ambulance, Stewart got the phone call every parent dreads. "His friend told his mom and she called me at work," she said.
MOM RUSHED TO HOSPITAL
"I couldn't believe it. Nobody will tell you Drew's a bad kid."
She rushed to the hospital but Drew's injuries were too severe. He was already dead.
Now she's hoping anyone with information about her son's killing will call the police and not seek their own revenge.
"I can't go to another funeral," she said.
"They shouldn't do anything stupid."
Drew, who celebrated his birthday last month, was a popular kid who enjoyed all sports, but especially liked playing basketball.
His mom said she will miss watching his games with the high school basketball team, and watching him play in the backyard with his friends.
He also played at the local community centre, where last year he was knocked unconscious defending a 12-year-old who was being beaten up, she said.
"He felt he had to do something," said his mom.
More than 100 of his friends turned up at Stewart's home late Friday to swap stories of his life and light candles in his memory.
They showed up again yesterday and added to a growing shrine of candles, pictures and flowers under a tree on the family's front lawn. Stewart says it's a sign of just how popular he was.
"There are 50 kids that call me mom," she said, sobbing.
"As long as I have them, I will always have a piece of him. His friends meant so much to him."
There was so much sadness in the family's home yesterday, even Drew's dog Tie, named after the Maple Leaf Tie Domi, sat staring out the window, waiting for his buddy to come home.
"I used to say to him, 'Where's Drew?' and he'd go to the window," Stewart said. "He misses him already."
STUDENTS LOCKED IN
After the stabbing, students at East York Collegiate, where Drew attended Grade 10, were locked in their classrooms while police scoured the neighbourhood for suspects.
One of the assailants was seen fleeing the area with a pool cue. Police later found a pool cue not far from the restaurant.
The girls Drew was defending told his mom that there were more than 15 assailants who attacked him.
They all scattered after he was stabbed multiple times.
Stewart said she doesn't understand why kids these days feel the need to arm themselves.
"They think they need weapons for protection, but if you don't have them, you can't use them," she said.
"The mentality of kids these days, they just don't get it."
Police said they are looking for witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information can call homicide detectives at 416-808-7408, or 416-808-7814. Anonymous callers can contact Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
When I was in the 10th grade we had an open campus for lunch. We ate in 3 shifts of 45 minutes each. The favorite off-campus lunch was at the local Rec-center, (pool tables and pin ball). Nothing unusual here. How 'bout giving this kid the benefit of the doubt?
Thank you.
Look at how even the "hero" was dressed...Gangsta rap cesspool culture poisoning our youth.
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