Out of a senseless and tragic crime can come positive change – at least that’s what friends and family of Luka Gordic hope.
Gordic had just turned 19 years old when he was killed in Whistler on May 17. Three 17-year-olds and one 18-year-old, Arvin Golic, were charged with manslaughter for their alleged involvement in his death.
Police say Gordic’s death was the result of an altercation between two groups of young people, but his family disagrees.
Gordic’s family and friends believe the four accused in Gordic’s death should be charged with murder and treated as adults, rather than young offenders, and so they’ve been collecting signatures to petition Crown counsel to seek the more serious charge.
“This isn't just about Luka's death but it's about the seriousness of this situation and how common it unfortunately is. They want people to know that collectively, we can make a change so that, in future, others do not need to suffer this heartbreak and injustice,” Sarah Long wrote in an email to the NOW on the Gordic family’s behalf.
As of June 5, more than 23,300 people had signed the Change.org petition. Once Gordic’s family has collected 25,000 signatures, they will forward the letter to Crown counsel.
“Together, we might be able to convince the Crown to charge these men as adults with murder,” states the petition’s website.
In the meantime, a website has been created to bring attention to the family’s #JusticeforLuka campaign.
“This is a very difficult time for us all and if there is any good that can come out of this tragedy, it's that we've made a positive difference,” Long wrote.
For more information on the campaign and the petition, visit justiceforluka.com.
