Soccer tournament honours teen killed in Etobicoke double-shooting

A family whose teenage son was fatally shot eight weeks ago in Etobicoke has organized a soccer tournament as a tribute to his life.

Zaid Athir Youssef died in hospital after shots rang out in front of the School of Experiential Education on McArthur Street, near Islington Avenue and Dixon in October. Michael Menjivar, 15, was also killed in the shooting.

Youssef’s family say the 17-year-old was a big fan of soccer and they hope the tournament, which will be held Saturday in Woodbridge, will become an annual event.

“He’s always with me, he’s in my heart, I’ll never forget him, he’s a part of me,” Youssef’s mother Jina Samouie told CityNews. “Every year on his birthday, October 3, we’re going to do this (tournament). I feel like my son is going to be with us today.”

The tournament will take place at The Soccer Centre on Martingrove Road at 10:30 p.m.

The family says donations raised at future events will go toward helping troubled youth.

Menjivar and Youssef were Toronto’s 43rd and 44th homicide victims of the year.

A 17-year-old is facing six charges in relation to the shooting, including attempted murder and weapons offences.

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