By JON WILLING, SUN MEDIA
Hassan Al-Khazaali’s handprints are seen on a mural on display yesterday at Elizabeth Wyn Wood school. Hassan, 17, inset, was stabbed to death at a west-end gas station Saturday night. (JON WILLING, SUN)
Two confused and worried parents dropped off their son at the Ottawa courthouse yesterday morning not knowing why police wanted to take the 19-year-old into custody.
But as it became apparent that detectives wanted to question the young man in connection with the stabbing death of 17-year-old Hassan Al-Khazaali, Marzea Fizeeli couldn’t believe the events that were unfolding.
“We don’t know yet what’s going on,” the mother told the Sun at the family’s home last night just before homicide detectives announced a charge in the case.
Safeolah Fizeeli has now been charged with second-degree murder. He will appear in court this morning.
Marzea Fizeeli said the teen hasn’t been in trouble with the law before, as far as she knows. She added there has been no real change in her son’s demeanour in the past few days.
Police facilitated the arrest at the courthouse with the help of a lawyer. Detectives then took the teenaged accused to headquarters for questioning.
“We’re not seeking anybody else,” Const. Isabelle Lemieux said, adding investigators continue to look for witnesses.
Hassan became Ottawa’s third homicide victim this year when he died Saturday night after being stabbed multiple times at the Petro-Canada at Carling Ave. and Bayshore Rd.
Police confirmed that Hassan and Fizeeli knew each other and that the killing wasn’t gang-related.
The victim and the accused at one time attended the former Laurentian High School.
SILENT ON MOTIVE
Investigators were silent on the possible motive for the attack, although some of Hassan’s friends suggested a dispute at the gas station started over money or an MP3 player.
Friends and family gathered for Hassan’s funeral last night. A group of his friends suggested the stabbing took place over a trivial issue and that they knew the alleged killer.
They said they’re trying to raise $10,000 to transport Hassan’s body back to Iraq, which is planned for today.
“I feel really bad for (Hassan’s) mother,” one friend said. “One of Hassan’s brothers is really sick, too. It’s a lot for her.”
Eid Oudah, 37, a friend of the family, said Hassan’s father is an activist who travels back and forth from Iraq and was hit hard by the news.
About 30 people sat in a room silently with music playing in the background as they drank tea and ate food.
Classmates at the Elizabeth Wyn Wood Alternate Program school in Nepean learned about Hassan’s death during a morning assembly.
Hassan had been attending the school for just six weeks after studying at Woodroffe High School.
Debra Buffett-Riddell, co-ordinator of the program at Elizabeth Wyn Wood, said Hassan “was an incredible student,” adding he was “very motivated” and “very graceful.”
Students dedicated a mural project they worked on recently to Hassan’s memory.
A collage, which was packed with pictures of cars, hung on the mural. It was one of Hassan’s last pieces of work as a student.
At Woodroffe High School, students packed the offices of guidance counsellors.
Salwa Rabeha, 18, said Hassan was “just like my brother.”
Hassan said he wanted to be a businessman and eventually return to Iraq, Rabeha said. “I’m still in shock,” she said.
Police continue to ask anyone with information about Hassan’s death to call detectives at 613-236-1222, ext. 5493, or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-TIPS (8477).link
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