A York business student who was run down and murdered in a brutal hit-and-run in the Entertainment District was laid to rest on Saturday in an emotional ceremony.
Vincent Dang, 20, died last week after a fight in a club spilled out onto the street. As Dang stood outside the club with friends, an SUV lurched over the sidewalk and fatally struck him.
Family friend Kim Quach said that the young man is greatly missed by his loved ones, who are struggling to deal with the loss.
"Terrible, terrible for the loss, he's so innocent, he's so bright, we miss him so much," she said outside St. Cecilia's church, where the funeral took place.
Theresa Tran, who had been Dang's teacher, also expressed deep sadness.
"That broke my heart. I feel so sad. I feel so sorry for mom and dad."
Inside the packed church, a photo of Dang's smiling face overlooked his closed casket. As the mourners left the church, Dang's mother was overcome by grief and needed to be helped outside.
Police say that the death was a deliberate murder which unfolded after a fight inside the Rockwood Club, which is on Mercer Street near Blue Jays Way. The fight moved outside, and Dang was killed when a man drove his SUV onto the sidewalk and struck him.
Police are still searching for a pair of suspects: 26-year-old Naveen Ariaratnam is wanted for second-degree murder. Officers are also searching for a brown-skinned male, with a slim build and black hair.
Police say that Ariaratnam was convicted of arson in the burning of a townhouse in St. Catharines six years ago, CTV Toronto's Janice Golding reported.
Ariaratnam moved to Toronto roughly four months ago.
