‘I still can’t process’: Close friend speaks about teen killed outside Halifax mall

globalnews.ca:

Dozens of friends and family of Ahmad Al Marrach gathered in prayer at Peace and Friendship Park on Sunday afternoon — as the community held a vigil in remembrance of the 16-year-old who was killed outside the Halifax Shopping Centre earlier this week.

On Monday evening, officers responded to a report of an injured person in the mall’s parking lot at about 5:05 p.m. The injured male youth, who was later identified as 16-year-old Al Marrach, was taken to hospital where he later died.

Standing in front of a crowd of about 50 people on Sunday afternoon, Nooman Hussain shared stories from his close friendship with Al Marrach.

“I still can’t process any of this. It feels like it’s not real,” Hussain shared with the crowd, describing Al Marrach as his best friend. “Ahmad taught me valuable things and was a valuable member of this community.”

Hussain said Al Marrach was a helpful, generous person who was always there for him whenever he needed anything.

He said the two would frequently visit a nearby Canada Games Centre and had plans of visiting the sporting facility on Monday.

“We would always hangout. He’d always come to my house and wake me up for school,” he said.

Rana Zaman, a community advocate who got to know Al Marrach’s family in the days after his death, shared a message on behalf of the mother and father — who were in attendance — to the grieving crowd.

“Though his time with us was brief, his love and positive impact will forever resonate with the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him,” Zaman said, reading a letter of stories that were shared by Al Marrach’s family.

“These are the words from the family … he was known for his affectionate nature and gentle demeanour. His daily routine even included