‘We’re all broken’: Father speaks out following son’s fatal shooting in Pickering – Durham | 24CA News
Durham regional police are persevering with to ask the general public for any new data following a Pickering, Ont., taking pictures on June 17 that took the lifetime of a 17-year-old boy, Anthony Dixon.
Anthony’s father, who spoke out days after the incident, says his household has been going by means of the feelings second by second.
“It’s hard to think about a day without waking up to him,” stated an emotional James Dixon. “His banter, his silliness, his smile in the morning, it’s just really hard.”
Durham police stated the taking pictures occurred within the space of Valley Farm and Kingston roads. Emergency crews responded at round 9:40 p.m.
“They arrived on scene here and located a 17-year-old male that had been shot,” stated Durham police Sgt. Joanne Bortoluss.
Officers and paramedics tried to avoid wasting his life, however their efforts have been unsuccessful, and the sufferer was pronounced useless on the scene.
Since then, police have been utilizing all avenues to seek out out who’s accountable for this taking pictures.
Dixon says Anthony, a Grade 11 scholar who attended Pine Ridge Secondary School, was all the time a very good child.
“He did everything a normal 17-year-old was supposed to do,” he stated.
Anthony liked listening to music, taking part in basketball and video video games, spending time together with his family and friends, and his girlfriend.
His dad stated he and his spouse usually relied on him to choose up his three youthful brothers from faculty, assist out and babysit. They have all been left heartbroken.
“He was everybody’s world; he made everything work,” stated Dixon. “Without him, nothing works.”
One of the toughest components, Dixon stated, is that they got here to the area for a greater life, transferring from Scarborough to Pickering a couple of years in the past.
“We saw what was happening there with the violence and the guns,” stated an emotional Dixon. “We moved here to make it better, and it made it worse.”
Dixon says the gun violence has to cease.
“We’ve got to give it up, these little kids are dying. They haven’t lived life, he didn’t make it to prom,” stated Dixon. “He didn’t get to do anything as an adult. People don’t understand what they are doing when they do this. It’s not just hurting one person, it causes pain to everyone who knows him.”
Now, in the identical place the tragic incident happened, lies a memorial. Flowers, candles, notes and items in reminiscence of Anthony fill the world, with buddies and family members usually dropping by to pay their respects.
The group and Anthony’s family members are persevering with to mourn his loss.
Close buddy of the household Cordell Culmer says he liked Anthony like his personal. Culmer has since launched a GoFundMe to assist the household with funeral and memorial prices.
“Anthony was a great kid. We had a lot of good memories,” he tells Global News in an emotional interview.
In all his unhappiness, Dixon continues to thank the general public, buddies, household and his group for all of the unbelievable assist they’ve obtained.
Jenna Evans, a group member who is aware of the household, partnered with the Super Sophia Project, a non-profit group in Durham, to ship love bins to Anthony’s youthful brothers throughout this tough time.
“The reality is, whether you are a family friend, close friend or even have no relation, it’s a tragic incident that’s going to hit home,” stated Evans.
She says as a mom, it hurts much more.
“Anthony was a son, cousin, grandson, nephew and a brother,” stated Evans. “If even the smallest thing can help brighten their days, we want to make sure of that.”
The bins have been stuffed with group donations for the brothers and shall be delivered this summer season.
The household says they plan to carry a giant celebration to have a good time Anthony within the coming months, one thing his father says he would have wished.
“He always wanted the best things in life,” stated Dixon. “He always said, ‘Dad, when I get rich, I’m going to take care of everyone.’ So we want to give him the biggest party possible.”
Durham regional police say anybody with new data is requested to contact Det. Peacocke of the main crimes murder unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5402.
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