Calgary teen stabbed in fatal fight remembered as lacrosse player with 'unwavering sportsmanship'

A Calgary teen who was fatally stabbed during a fight with another boy was described by his lacrosse club as someone who displayed "unwavering sportsmanship."

A 17-year-old was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Dean Visser, 16, who was killed last week during a fight in the southeast community of Forest Lawn.

The accused killer cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. 

Around 7 p.m. Thursday, police were called to an altercation in the 1300 block of 41st Street S.E.

At the scene, police found Visser suffering from stab wounds. He was taken to hospital, where he died. 

• Victim identified in fatal stabbing in Forest Lawn

On Monday, lawyer Sam Taylor appeared in youth court on behalf of defence counsel Rebecca Snukal.

Taylor told Justice Gary Cornfield that a bail hearing could take place at the next court date, set for later this month. 

The teen appeared via closed-circuit TV from the Calgary Young Offender Centre. His mother was in court for the brief appearance. 

Visser, who wore No. 12 as a player with Axemen Lacrosse, was honoured in a social media post by the organization Monday. 

'A dedicated athlete'

According to the post, Visser had played lacrosse since he was seven years old and was considered a "2023 Axemen graduate."

"Our thoughts are with everyone who Dean's light touched," reads the post. "Rest in peace."

An online fundraiser for the Visser family described the victim as someone who had a "zest for life" and an "adventurous spirit."

"Dean was not only a dedicated athlete, excelling in lacrosse, but also a lover of the great outdoors," reads the online tribute. 

"His passions for camping and dirt biking brought him closer to nature and to those he cherished most — his friends and family."