Abbotsford/New Westminster/Coquitlam – (with files from Global /CP/John Olund BCIT Journalism/Dave Teixeria, Family Spokesperson) — JULY 7 UPDATE – Gabriel Klein has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for 16 years in the 2016 murder of Abbotsford high school student Letisha Reimer. Justice Holmes notes the killer remains a high risk to re-offend. This after upholding conviction of Second Degree Murder.
The Family Statement, courtesy Family Spokesperson, Dave Teixeria:
UPDATE June 25, 2021 – Gabriel Klein, who murdered Letisha Reimer, 13, at her Abbotsford High School in 2016 was found criminally responsible after his application for “not criminally responsible” was denied.
B.C. Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes rejected Klein’s argument that he suffered a mental disorder that caused him to not understand the actions he committed. Klein was convicted last year for the murder of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer and aggravated assault of her friend. (The at the time – 13 year old – was never named nor will she under court order)
Klein, who has schizophrenia, had applied for a hearing over criminal responsibility as his sentencing was set to begin in September. Klein later testified that he believed that he was stabbing a witch and a monster.
The ruling meant the case proceeded to his sentencing, June 23 and 25. Klein will be sentenced for second degree murder. With parole being considered, the Judge can rule between a sentence of 10 to 25 years.
Sentencing is July7. Klein may ( at his choosing) read a statement after reviewing the 46 victim impact statements that were given.
March 26, 2021 UPDATE – The decision on child killer Gabriel Klein’s Not Criminally Responsible ruling will be made on April 22nd.
Family spokesperson Dave Teixeira posted another update to social media on March 25.
In March 2020, after reading through a 15 page synopsis of a full 55 page report, the judge in the Gabriel Klein trial found him guilty of second degree murder of 13 year old Letisha Reimer. He stabbing death at Abbotsford Secondary in November 2016 and the stabbing injury to another unidentified 14 year old student, sent shock waves through out the Fraser Valley. There is a publication ban on the name of that 14 year old.
NOVEMBER 8 UPDATE – The NCR or Not Criminally Responsible hearing for Garbiel Klein, will hear closing arguments January 13 and 14.
Klein had already been convicted in the stabbing death of Abbotsford Secondary School student Letisha Reimer in March of this year.
Klein’s lawyer was using the NCR or not criminally responsible defence during this hearing.
Family spokesperson Dave Teixeira took to Twitter: The New West Supreme Courtroom 102 will only have 3 “spots” for spectators in the gallery (persons from the same household can occupy each “spot”) due to COVID. The sheriffs have said they will reserve those 3 spots for the victims’ immediate families.
Arrangements for a second viewing area located at the Anvil Centre (777 Columbia Street – a couple blocks from the courthouse) will be set up for up to 40 people to watch the proceedings on a large screen.
SEPTEMBER 24 UPDATE – Gabriel Klein’s Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) hearing for the stabbing death of Letisha Reimer is now on October 16, 10AM at New West Court. This hearing was scheduled for September 24 and will be to determine “the type of evidence Klein should get to present at the NCRMD hearing”. (Not Criminally Responsible).
After October 16, other dates set aside in New West Supreme Court are : Nov 9, 10, 12, 13 – Dec 16, 17, 18, 21, 22
Family spokesperson Dave Teixeira did not hide his disgust on Twitter.
SEPTEMBER 17 UPDATE – The man convicted in the stabbing murder of of 13 year old Letisha Reimer at Abbotsford Secondary in November 2016. will appeal.
A NCR Not Criminally Responsible hearing (mental illness) will be held September 24. Sentencing and impact statements for September 23 & 24 have been postponed according to family spokesperson Dave Teixeira
MARCH 6 UPDATE – After reading through a 15 page synopsis of a full 55 page report, the judge in the Gabriel Klein trial found him guilty of second degree murder of 13 year old Letisha Reimer. He stabbing death at Abbotsford Secondary in November 2016 and the stabbing injury to another unidentified 14 year old student, sent shock waves through out the Fraser Valley. There is a publication ban on the name of the 14 year old.
A sentencing hearing for the 24 year old Klein will be scheduled for later this year.
A conviction for second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence, but parole eligibility can range from 10 to 25 years and is determined by the judge.
Part of the defense claim was the mental capacity of Klein.
FEBRUARY 7 2020 UPDATE – The the hearing on February 21st for the verdict in the murder trial of Gabriel Klein, who is accused of killing Abbotsford Senior Secondary student Letisha Reimer, has been postponed to March 6th as the judge requires more time to review evidence.
This coming from Dave Teixeira, the spokesperson for the families involved. Another teen was seriously injured in the attack but as she was underage at the time, her name continues to be protected from publishing in media.
OCTOBER 4 UPDATE – The judge only trail for Gabriel Klein will start Monday October 7 and is expected to last until December 20. Gabriel Klein is accused of fatally stabbing Abbotsford high school student Letisha Reimer and seriously wounding another student at the school at the start of the 2016 – 2017 school year.
JANUARY 24 UPDATE – On Thursday, after a fitness hearing on his mental capability to understand the legal proceedings, the BC Supreme Court has ruled that the trial for Gabriel Klein, the man accused of fatally stabbing Abbotsford high school student Letisha Reimer and seriously wounding another student, will begin in the fall.
Klein will remain at the Colony Farms psychiatric hospital (Coquitlam) until the trial is over.
JANUARY 18 UPDATE – Now that stabbing suspect Garniel Klein has been found fit to stand trial for the 2016 double stabbing at Abbotsford Secondary, including the death of Letisha Reimer and the wounding of another girl, comes the latest twist in this case.
A fitness hearing before the Vancouver Law Court has been scheduled for January 24, at 2 PM.
UPDATE JANUARY 15 – The BC Review Board said on Tuesday that stabbing suspect Gabriel Klein will be found fit to stand trial. Kleins’s lawyer agrees.
All parties agreed that new medications being administered to Klein at Colony Farms, has shown improvement and that he no longer “hears voices” and wants to proceed to have closure on where his life is going when a trial does officially start.
Dave Teixiera, the spokesperson for Letisha Reimer’s family, said the family was relieved that the hearing was quick ( less than an hour) and that the matter can now move forward.
“The family is not vengeful. The family is not trying to ensure he’s locked up and the key is thrown away. They want to see justice, whatever that may look like”.
A trial date is expected to be announced soon.
JANUARY 14, 2019 UPDATE – On Tuesday January 15, the BC Review Board will take another look at Gabriel Klein’s case as to whether or not he is fit to stand trial for the 2016 double stabbing of two Abbotsford Secondary School students. 14 year old Letisha Reimer died from her injuries while another 13 year old girl was hospitalized. Her name remains under a publication ban.
Family spokesperson Dave Teixeria Tweeted that the BC Review Board will meet on Tuesday to discuss Klein’s fate. Ms Reimer’s name was under a publication ban during the initial stages of the investigation and it was only last year, under media and legal pressure, that the publication ban on her name was lifted. Her parents felt that action needed to be done in the public’s best interest.
SEPTEMBER 11 2018 UPDATE – In 2016 Gabirel Klein stabbed two teens at Abbotsford Secondary, one of whom died from her injuries. Since then, he has been under observation as to whether or not he is unfit to stand trial.
On Tuesday, the BC Review Board (at Colony Farm Psychiatric Hospital) says he is not fit.
The victim’s family spokesperson and advocate, Dave Teixeria took to Twitter to announce the Judges decision, before the official announcement.
Klien is expected to be back in front of the Board once again,on January 15, 2019.
SEPTEMBER 5 UPDATE – Gabirel Klein, the man who in 2016, stabbed two teens at Abbotsford Secondary, one of whom died from her injuries, still hears voices in his head. Kleins’s lawyer and his client were in front of the BC Review Board at Colony Farm Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam. Klien has been there since the stabbing and has gone through a number of assessments.
At Thursday’s hearing, the review board heard that Klein remained too psychotic to stand trial, and another review could happen six months down the road.
Should this case get to trail, if the case does reach trial, Klein’s lawyer has gone on record stating that he would ask the court to consider the motion that his client was not criminally responsible for his crimes.
JULY 20 UPDATE – On Thursday, the BC Review Board could not reach a decision on whether Gabirel Klein, the man accused of stabbing a 13-year-old girl to death inside Abbotsford high school is actually mentally fit to stand trial. Canadian Press is reports that the board now wants a second opinion. Another 30 days has been set aside to review Klein’s mental state and capacity to understand.
In April, a judge ruled Klein was unfit to stand trial due to his schizophrenia, auditory hallucinations and disordered thinking.
At that time the review board was ordered to reassess his fitness in 90 days. That has since passed.
APRIL 20, 2018 UPDATE – – Gabriel Klein, the man accused of the stabbing death of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer at Abbotsford Secondary School and the assault on another student in 2016, has been deemed unfit to stand trial. That does not mean legal proceeding grind to a halt.
Klein remains accused of second-degree murder and aggravated assault, however the judge in BC Supreme Court (New Westminster) agreed with a psychiatrist’s assessment that Klein’s mental state is too unpredictable.
Legally, for now, it would not be fair to put him on trial.
Two previous assessments did find him fit. Psyche experts told the court that he continues to have delusional thoughts of harming other people and that the CIA were stalking him.
The court has ordered Klein be detained at the Colony Farm Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam for a 90 day psyche assessment where at that time, Klein will be reassessed to see if then, he would understand the proceedings and go to trial.
Klein was scheduled to start his trial May 7, 2018 in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.
OCTOBER 27 2017 UPDATE – A tentative court date has been set for the accused Gabriel Klein. Klein is scheduled to start his trial May 7, 2018 in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault.That may change between now and then due to a number of factors as the case goes through the legal system. Other pre-trial issues could arise which may or may not affect the May 2018 date, at BC Supreme Court in New Westminster.
DECEMBER 1 2016 UPDATE – Gabriel Klein, the man accused of the stabbing death of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer at Abbotsford Secondary School and the assault on another student who remains in hospital, now has legal council.
Klein appeared via video on Thursday morning in Abbotsford provincial court, and Vancouver defence lawyer Michael Bozic indicated he is now Klein’s lawyer.
Bozic said Klein’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 27, at which time the judge said he hopes a date can be set for the preliminary inquiry
NOVEMBER 21 UPDATE – Gabriel Klein has had his case has been moved back to the Abbotsford Provincial Court from Supreme Court for a video-link hearing.
That will happen on December 1.
At his November 21 appearance, Klein had a legal aid representative but the judge advised him to have full legal council. Klein appeared confused as to what the judge was saying re: did he understand what was going on. That’s where the Judge asked Klein to get proper legal counsel. (The judge admitted he made an error in sending the proceeding to Supreme Court when in actuality, Provincial Court is where this phase of he trial should remain).
So far, Klein has been deemed fit to stand trial, as he has been through a number of tests to determine his mental health, so far he is fit to stand trial.
NOVEMBER 3 UPDATE – Global News is reporting that Klein was staying at the Riverside Shelter (in Abbotsford) in the days leading up to the attack.
Allegedly, Klein was known in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for stealing items to afford crystal meth.
CTV reports Klein had an argument with his mother on the phone, on the day of the attack. The argument may have been about money to return to Alberta.
WEDNESDAY 3PM UPDATE – There is still no indication what the motive was for the random attack that killed 13-year-old Letisha Reimer of Abbotsford and injured a 14 year old girl. The two girls were friends. The suspect did not wish to leave his cell before today’s appearance before a judge to hear charges. IHIT said Gabriel Klein has been in Vancouver since February/March of this year. He is described as a homeless drifter from Alberta.
A go fund me page has been set up in her memory to help the family.
Ongoing Support Services
The gym at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church (33333 Mayfair Ave., Abbotsford) will remain open for students, and family members to access support and information. Hours of this drop in service will be from 8:30am to 3:00pm.
Our critical incident response team, including counselors, will continue to work with Abbotsford Senior students and staff over the coming days and weeks. Parents/guardians who are concerned or seeking a 24-hour confidential support may contact the Kids Help Phone hotline at 1-800-668-6868.
All other schools in the District are open.
IHIT’s Jennifer Pound was very critical of media who reposted the video of the suspect attacking the teen who died and posting pictures of the victim on social media. Pound held back her frustration bordering on anger, and stressed “How do you think the family would feel , having to relive this all over again on social media.”
This is the official media Release from IHIT:
IHIT File: 2016-1908
Abbotsford File: 2016-45778
Charges Approved in Random School Attack
Abbotsford: On November 1, 2016, just after 2:00pm, the Abbotsford Police Department attended a local Senior Secondary School for what was called in as an assault in progress.
Upon attendance, Abbotsford first responders located a suspect who was being physically restrained by school staff members. This individual was taken into custody by police and the school was placed on immediate lock down in order to assess further risk and locate any additional victims or suspects.
Two female victims were located at the scene with injuries consistent with an edged weapon. Both females were immediately transferred to hospital and despite all medical efforts, the 13 year old girl succumbed to her injuries.
The second victim, a 14 year old girl, remains in hospital and is reported to be in stable condition but will have a lengthy physical and emotional road of recovery ahead. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of both girls.
IHIT has received charge approval and will continue to work in partnership with the Abbotsford police department to gather further evidence. Although it is early, evidence suggests this incident to be random. We do not believe the suspect has ties to this school, or to the two girls, or specifically to the Abbotsford area.
The accused has been identified as 21 year old Gabriel Brandon KLEIN. Mr. Klein is facing charges of Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault.
The selfless actions by the Abbotsford Senior Secondary staff should be acknowledged and commended, as well as the efficient work by the Abbotsford Police Department for their quick response and containment of the scene.
We would also be remiss if we did not acknowledge the cooperation from all staff and students in place. This tragedy has left heavy hearts among all of them, and we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge all of you and thank you for your great cooperation through this.
Mr. Klein is of no fixed address and has been known to frequent the Vancouver area since February/March of this year. Prior to landing in Vancouver he was known to be in the Alberta area.
We are asking anyone that has had contact with Mr. Klein, whether it be social media, email, or face-to-face, to bring information forward to investigators.
**The family have been receiving phone calls from media and have asked us to relay a message on their behalf that they do not wish to speak with media and they are asking for privacy as they attempt to process their loss.**
Released by: S/Sgt. Jennifer Pound
WEDNESDAY 2PM UPDATE – Second degree murder charges have been approved by the crown in yesterday’s double stabbing that left a teen girl dead and another badly hurt, at Abbotsford Secondary School.
Court records show 21 year old Gabriel Brandon Klein has also been charged with one count of aggravated assault in yesterday’s attack.
Klein will appear in court by video November 7. He’s been ordered not to communicate with the surviving victim in any way.
Chilliwack School District sent out a letter to parents: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic event that took place at Abbotsford Senior Secondary yesterday. As we reflect on yesterday’s events, our hearts go out to the family and friends of the students involved and we extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families of both students,” the letter states.
“Violent events like this one remind us of the importance of our collective efforts to keep students and staff safe. Be assured that we have school emergency management guidelines to assist schools in preparing for and responding to any type of emergency, including human caused events such as this one.
“Student and staff safety continues to be a top priority in Chilliwack and we are supporting schools in whatever way we can during this difficult period.”
Recently, the district reviewed both their lock down and their hold-and-secure procedures.
WEDNESDAY 11 AM UPDATE – Abbotsford School District Superintendent Kevin Godden says the violence “appears to be a random act of violence.” He adds the district will be reviewing all security protocols but stresses, at this time, the focus is on the health and well-being of the students and staff.
TUESDAY 815PM UPDATE – Including Media Release From Abby PD/IHIT – Tuesday afternoon at 2:05 pm, the Abbotsford Police Department received a call of an assault in progress at Abbotsford Senior Secondary. Abbotsford Police Department, BC Ambulance Service and Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service were dispatched to the school.
Upon arrival, two female students were located with apparent stab wounds. Both were expedited to medical facilities for treatment along with their family members who had been contacted by school administrative staff.
Abbotsford police Chief Bob Rich said a young man is in custody and it appears he is not a student at the school.
Abbotsford Senior Secondary School and Abbotsford Middle School were locked down as a precautionary measure.
Tuesday evening, the Abbotsford Police received an update on the victims’ injuries. One of the female victims has succumbed to her injuries. The second female victim remains in hospital in stable condition.
The investigation is now being transitioned to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). Further information and updates will be provided by IHIT. Anyone with information about this incident should call the IHIT Tip Line at 1-877-551-4448 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
6PM UPDATE – APD is dealing with a stabbing incident. A suspect is in custody and they are trying to expedite medical treatment for two injured students. Staging area for parents and media was at the Abby Arts Centre – 2329 Crescent Way, Abbotsford.
Abbotsford Senior Secondary and Abbotsford Junior Secondary remain in lock down, although CKNW and Global are stating that the middle school was released.
It is still not known if the attacker was a student.
APD have asked media to NOT show a Facebook video of the attack that has been posted.
The Abbotsford School District released a statement on the incident:
“We are heartbroken by the incident at Abbotsford Senior Secondary school today. We are a very caring community and when one of use hurts, we all do. We were saddened to learn that 2 students were injured in this incident and were taken to hospital for their injuries. We are cooperating with the Abbotsford Police Department on this active investigation and will be providing updates as they become available.”
