Hamilton teen released from hospital after brutal attack
Candlelit vigil scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday near the place where Noah Rabbani was attacked
Noah Rabbani, a Hamilton teenager who was brutally attacked last weekend while walking home from a friend's house, was released from hospital Friday, his aunt said.
While his family welcomes another step along the road to recovery, they're feeling overwhelmed at how far he still needs to go to get back to the 15-year-old kid he was before the attack.
He can't walk. Not much. He needs rest. He's hardly able to speak.- Huma Aslam
They weren't expecting his release so soon and now are researching what rehab options they may have to help him recover, said Huma Aslam, Rabbani's aunt.
"He can't walk. Not much," she said. "He needs rest. He's hardly able to speak."
That means family is still wondering about the details of what happened.
And they're facing his massive recovery needs while also caring for his seven siblings. Aslam said the family is very encouraged by an online fundraiser to help with the recovery that had raised more than $55,000 by Friday afternoon.
"It's going to be a long road to recovery," Aslam said. "All the love and the prayers, God willing, he'll be fine soon."
Police haven't given the family an update of their investigation either, Rabbani said.
"We haven't heard how far the detectives have gotten and we're just hoping for a breakthrough," she said. "What was their motive? Who thinks like that? Who just randomly beats someone? We just want to know why, who and why."
Vigil planned for Sunday
Community members are planning a candelit vigil for Rabbani.
The vigil is being planned for 7 p.m. Sunday at Summit Park on the Mountain.
What was their motive? Who thinks like that? .....We just want to know why, who and why.- Huma Aslam
A Facebook event listing says those interested to attend the vigil should meet at 7 p.m. at the plaza of a nearby Fletcher Medical Centre near the corner of Fletcher Road and Rymal Road East.
That's the intersection where Rabbani, who is of Pakistani and Muslim background, was badly hurt walking home overnight Saturday when two people attacked him with a baseball bat.
Rabbani's family said he underwent a successful surgery this week to repair a crack in his skull he suffered during the attack.
The 15-year-old Saltfleet District High School student will need extensive dental work, physiotherapy, house aids, learning aids and tutoring in the coming months and years, his family said.