A candlelight vigil was held in memorial of the city’s second homicide victim of 2016.
Father of a two-year-old daughter, Dakoda Martin’s death was simply a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Family and close friends gathered last night in the very spot the fatal stabbing took place in Victoria Park – that took the life of the 21-year-old to honour his memory.
Friends say Martin and another friend allegedly saw a woman in the park being assaulted and when they got involved, the ensuing altercation resulted in Martin being sent to hospital in critical condition where he was later pronounced dead.
Sean Kady was a friend of Dakoda’s for over four years and felt his loss was senseless.
“
I don’t know a person that’s ever said anything bad about Dakoda,” Kady said.
“I met Dakoda four years ago when I was kicked out of where I was living and that boy took me under his wing. Dakoda is two years younger than me and just the heart that boy has to give. From just giving food to whatever – just an ear to talk to in the middle of the night on the phone.”
Other friends who couldn’t be named echoed that sentiment.
“He was a protector for everybody,” one said.
“Such a genuine person,” intervened another
“…and he never really gave up on people,” the first person continued. “Whenever somebody needed a hand or if ever anyone was out of something he would always be there and to be that person always pretty much to give up everything, even the shirt off his back”
Another friend felt the most sympathy toward Dakoda’s fiancee Jessica and their two-year old daughter.
“He has a two year old daughter, it’s very tragic so that’s why I’m here today,” she said tearing up.
“I love Jess and I love Dakoda,” she continued. “May he rest in peace like he stood up for a girl that was getting…”
She stopped as Kady continued, “and if it weren’t for any other circumstances…”
“She might of been dead,” the girl finished.
“Not only saved her life,” said Kady. “He did what he thought was right.”
32-year-old Jeremy Reddick is charged by London Police with one count of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault.
Police also say that all three individuals involved in the incident were known to each other.
The investigation is still ongoing.
