Students encouraged to wear green today in support of stabbing victim

Many people across the province and the country are wearing green today in support of an 11-year-old boy who was stabbed last week on the soccer field in Topsail.

"People from all over North America are responding and saying they'll wear green," Calvin Randell, president of the Conception Bay South Soccer Association, told CBC News.

The campaign was prompted by a horrific incident on the soccer field in Topsail on Thursday evening. 

Police allege that 19-year-old Nicholas Layman ran onto the field and stabbed the young boy in the neck. 

The boy sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital while Layman faces attempted murder and assault charges. Layman is due back in court Oct. 3 and is now undergoing a psychiatric assessment.

The victim's favourite colour is green, and supporters launched the campaign to show support for the boy and his family. The idea was initiated by one of the boy's coaches with the Paradise Youth Soccer Association.

The victim is a student at Holy Family School in Paradise, and was taking part in a skills camp at the Topsail field when the stabbing occurred. The camp is scheduled to resume Tuesday evening as the soccer community attempts to move past the incident.