Stabbed teen 'brilliant' spirit

Dozens of emotional friends and family of 16-year-old Elijah-Iain Beauregard gathered in Penticton Saturday night for a candlelight vigil in his memory at the Riverside Drive skate park, one of his favourite places to spend time.

The teen died in hospital after being stabbed on Kelowna's streets in late June. He grew up in Penticton and attended local schools.

A woman named Donna attended the vigil because she remembered Eli as a classmate of her kids. 

"Gosh, that smile. When he flashed that smile, it was just incredible," Donna said. 

Eli had been living on the streets by choice at the time of his death. 

"I've known him since he was five," longtime family friend Eden said. "He was enamoured with the streets, he thought they were the greatest place ever. I lived that life when I was younger so I can completely understand the excitement that you get from that, but he was not meant for that."

He was violently stabbed near Water Street and Bernard Avenue in Kelowna on June 27, and despite days in hospital and the amputation of his severely injured arm, he did not survive. 

"He was brilliant, but he wanted friends. He wanted to be noticed. And he chose the wrong friends, unfortunately," Eden said. 

Her fondest memories of Eli involve his bright, happy spirit. 

"Running around, hugging the crap out of everybody, talking his face off," she said with a smile. 

A memorial was set up Saturday evening at the skate park featuring photos of Eli and a space for friends and family to write notes. Dozens attended, mourning together.

One of those mourners was Ayden Chura, who grew up with Eli, learning to skateboard together and sharing their adolescence. Chura struggled to contain his emotions as he talked about his childhood friend. 

"I'm out of words at the moment on how to feel about this," Chura said. "I went to school for seven, eight years with him. That kid had an unforgettable smile."

Chura said the skate park was a special place for Eli and himself — they practically lived there sometimes. 

"I feel really bad for the way he passed," Chura said, holding back tears. "I'm just really glad everybody's here."

The amount of love those present had for Eli was palpable. Another vigil will be held in Kelowna Sunday night at the sails downtown around 9 p.m.