Hospital officials have confirmed that a 15-year-old rugby player who sustained injuries during a fight at a Mississauga high school has been pronounced dead.
"Manny is just such a good guy," a classmate of Manny Castillo said Friday, choking back tears.
"It's really hard," she added.
Conflicting reports from family members earlier Friday suggested the teen was still clinging to life. However, later Friday afternoon officials with Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children confirmed the teen's death.
The teen's organs are being kept alive for donations to people in need. As of Friday evening, Castillo's family was still at his bed side.
Shortly before noon, school officials at Lorne Park Secondary School told students that Castillo had been declared dead.
"It was a very difficult announcement for the staff and students to hear," Brian Woodland of the school board said. "There really wasn't any of us in that building who weren't deeply affected by the news even though we knew it was coming."
Following the announcement, the entire school population gathered on the rugby pitch and stood in silence for their friend.
Crisis counselors and officials from the Peel school board's critical incident response team have been on site to help students come to terms with the tragedy.
Castillo was captain of the school's Spartans rugby team and wore the number eight on his jersey.
The teen was injured during an altercation with a 16-year-old from Erindale Secondary School in the final seconds of a rugby match, at about 4:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Castillo was transported to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children with a severe head injury. He never regained consciousness.
A police investigation is still underway and investigators have released few details, except to say the altercation took place outside of normal play.
"The altercation that took place between the victim and the suspect wasn't a part of the actual rugby game in itself," Peel region police Const. Adam Minnion told CTV.ca on Thursday.
"Whether this is a matter of ongoing rivalry, or a conflict between the two, or spontaneous, is something that still needs to be determined."
Investigators have the 16-year-old with aggravated assault, however his name cannot be released under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police may review the charge with the Crown attorney, but it is not certain that the aggravated assault charge will be upgraded.
But Castillo's family has said they do not want any charges to be pursued. Police said they understand but will continue their investigation.
"The police are responsible for laying the charges in consultation with the Crown Attorney's office," Peel police spokesperson J.P. Valade said.
"Though we respect the family's wishes, we still have our duty to pursue and lay charges when appropriate."
Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3205, or to call Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS/8477.
With a report from CTV's Austin Delaney
