Local students and parents are angry over the behavior of a number of mainstream media outlets following, last week's tragic homicide of a 16 year-old Sam Eves.
A number of newspapers and television stations have been accused of running unfounded rumours, as well as using invasive interview techniques while speaking to people who allegedly knew Eves, who was fatally stabbed last Tuesday night (March 27).
"Within two hours, maximum, of our teachers making that fateful announcement, reporters had swarmed the school and surrounding area," said Howe Sound student Johanna Roberts in a written report (see "Media should be ashamed" page A26).
"Many crying and upset students rejected their aggressive advances, quickly becoming angry and frustrated with the complete lack of respect these reporters were showing them."
Howe Sound principal Nanncy Campbell heard a number of complaints from her students regarding the bahaviour of media.
"From my point of view, if they wish to interview students, they have to do it off of school property," said Campbell. "I think that a group of students that hang out at a certain location were followed around in a manner that quite intimidating and disrespectful. They were quite amazed by how the media behaved."
"I think reporters should be respectful, if a student says they do not want to walk, then they should respect that, and not follow them about," said Campbell.
Rumours over the motive behind the stabbing have spread around the community, with a number of news agencies running them in their papers or news reports. However, according to Cpl. Dale Carr, of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team these stories remain unsubstantiated, as the RCMP cannot comment on motive while the case is before the courts.
As late as Friday (March 31), police were called out to the home of the target of a number of those rumours, Eves' girlfriend Danielle Ladret, in order to remove reporters from her property, according to Cpl. Dave Ritchie of the RCMP.
Ander Kumar Walker-Huria has been charged with second-degree murder in the case, and is currently in custody at the North Fraser Correctional Centre. His next scheduled court date is this Thursday (April 12), when Walker-Huria will appear before North Vancouver Provincial Court via a live video feed.
