Community members held a candlelight vigil Tuesday night to remember the lives of two young boys and their mother found dead in an East York apartment over the weekend.
Forty-three-year-old Zahra Mohamoud Abdille and her sons Faris, 13, and eight-year-old Zain, were found dead inside an apartment located on Thorncliffe Park Drive, near Don Mills Road and the Don Valley Parkway, Saturday afternoon.
They were identified by police Monday.
Speaking with CP24 Tuesday night, a Toronto police officer said the tragic event had brought out the best in area residents.
“This has been a terrible event for this community,” Sgt. Matt Moyer said. “But a true testament to this community is just all the resources and people that have come forth (and) shown their patience and support.
“This is a community that’s faced adversity in the past, and once again they’ve risen up and shown their strength and solidarity.”
Police estimate roughly 150 people attended the vigil.
Alex Pandil, who attended school with Faris, recalled a generous and kind friend who enjoyed skateboarding and sharing snacks.
“He was like the most kind person you could ever meet,” she said. “He’d always be there for you.”
A spokesperson with the Toronto District School Board confirmed Monday that Faris was a student at Westwood Middle School and Zain attended William Burgess Elementary School.
Ryan Bird said counsellors would be available for students at both schools “for as long as needed.”
Investigators continue to examine a connection between the discovery of the family members and another incident Saturday where a man fell to his death from the Leaside Bridge onto the DVP earlier that afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
