Youth handed maximum sentence in fatal stabbing of Calgary teen Dean Visser

A tragic incident shook the city of Calgary on June 6, 2024, when 16-year-old Dean Visser was fatally stabbed while walking with his girlfriend in Forest Lawn. The perpetrator, identified only as S.K., was sentenced to four years in custody followed by three years of conditional community supervision for the second-degree murder of Visser. The judge, Justice Lisa Silver, expressed the gravity of the crime, emphasizing the impact it had on the victim’s family, friends, and the community.

The stabbing, described as an unprovoked attack, stemmed from a dispute over a designer hoodie and escalated due to social media interactions between Visser and S.K. The tragic loss of Visser, a vibrant and adventurous young man, left a void in the lacrosse community and in the hearts of his loved ones. His family shared emotional victim impact statements, highlighting the profound impact of his absence on their lives.

Visser’s mother and sister reminisced about the small, everyday moments they now dearly miss, reflecting on the void left by his absence. The heartbreaking recount of the moments at the hospital as doctors fought to save Visser’s life painted a poignant picture of the devastating consequences of senseless violence.

The sentencing of S.K. to the maximum youth sentence for second-degree murder aims to hold the offender accountable while promoting rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violence and the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully.

The memory of Dean Visser lives on in the hearts of those who knew him, as a beacon of strength, kindness, and enthusiasm. The community mourns the loss of a promising young life and continues to grapple with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.