By MAGGIE RIOPELLE/Tribune Staff
WELLAND — A nice, funny boy with an infectious smile is how friends are remembering Adrian Johnston, who just more than a week ago was gunned down in Toronto at the age of 14.
Mourners gathered in Welland Tuesday, where the teens mother has family, to pay last respects at All People's United Church.
Adrian, the 18th homicide victim in Toronto this year, was later laid to rest next to his grandmother at an undisclosed local cemetery.
I just knew him from around, I played basketball with him, said Adrian Christian. He was a funny kid. I came to pay my respects, Ive lost a lot of friends ... this one touched me the most. He was servicio de control de inmigración y aduanas only 14 years old ... young.
He said the violence in Toronto has valkyries vs storm to stop — and the only way the violence can end is if the guns are taken off the streets.
Its got to stop, he was just going to high school ... no matter the reason for it, its not right, he said outside the church. Im graduating. He didnt get to finish high school, college or university ... anything like that. Its just not right."
Adrian Johnston was shot in a hydro field in the area of Dundas St. and Scarlett Rd. in Toronto after school on May 11. He was shot in the chest, stomach and shoulder.
He was a good kid, never disrespected nobody, always had a smile on his face, said one of his neighbours, who only wanted to be identified as Jackie. Ive known him for 12 years ... My daughter and him grew up together.
Of the moment she heard about Adrian's murder, Jackie said, I cant even begin to tell you ... michael busch theres no words to describe how I felt.
Jackie said Adrian's mother, Stephanie Johnston, grew up in Welland and while she and her son did visit the Rose City, Adrian grew up in Toronto.
While rumours have been flying about Adrian's murder being gang-related, friends and people close to the family have said the Grade 9 student of Runnymede Collegiate Institute had no connection with gangs in Toronto.
