Parents of murdered teen Jaime ‘Jimboy’ Adao, Jr. speaking at a memorial on Monday. (CBC News)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Napaslang na binata
By Ted Alcuitas
His parents were to give management of Jimel’s Bakery to him as soon as he finishes his culinary course after graduation from high school this June.
On Sunday, (March 3 ), Jaime Adao, Jr., ‘Jimboy’ to friends, died as a result of a home invasion.
The 17-year-old teen was home with his grandmother when a man forced his way into their house on McGee Street, in the city’s West End , around 9 p.m.
His parents called him a hero for saving his grandmother who was sleeping in another room when the intruder broke in. Jimboy called 911 and was speaking to dispatchers when the intruder got inside and began attacking the teen with a weapon.
Police arrived while the attack was ongoing and shot the intruder, a 29-year-old man.
Both the man and Jimboy were rushed to hospital. The teen did not survive and the man remains in critical condition.
Parents Imelda and Jaime told CBC News said they left Jimboy with his grandma about a half hour earlier to go see a Filipino concert.
“We locked our door. We know it’s safe, that nobody can get in and steal the life of our kid,” Imelda said.
While the couple were out, they got repeated calls from a private number, which they initially ignored. When they finally answered the phone it was the police who wanted to talk to them.
Part of the display at the commemoration of Jaime, 17, affectionately known as Jimboy, held Monday at the Jesus is Lord Church on McPhilipps.(Trevor Brine/CBC)
Hannah Sagaran grew up with Jaime and sang Amazing Grace at the service. She last saw him at church on Sunday morning, hours before he was killed in a violent home invasion. (Trevor Brine/CBC)
Imelda and Jaime Adao spoke to the media about the attack that claimed the life of the son they call Jimboy. (Trevor Brine/CBC)
“He is a good kid, a good son and a good friend and upon hearing the news I didn’t know what to say,” she said afterwards to CBC, noting she last saw Jimboy at church on Sunday morning, hours before he was killed.
“I didn’t know how to react because when I last saw him I thought I still had a chance to say ‘hi’ to him.”
Sagaran, the leader of her youth church group, said she would lean on her faith to get her through this tragedy.
The Adao family is being supported by their church and said they will use their faith to get through the tragedy. (Trevor Brine/CBC)
He was set to graduate from Tec Voc High School, where he was specializing in culinary arts so he could go to Red River College to pursue his dream of becoming an executive chef in a hotel he dreamed of owning one day.
“He has lots of dreams, big dreams,” Imelda said.
“That’s why me and my husband was working so hard, because we promised him, ‘son when you turn 18 we will give this [family bakery] responsibility to you.’ Because even from his childhood he used to help us.”
Members of the Filipino community sang, prayed and held hands during Tuesday’s service. (Trevor Brine/CBC)
St. Norbert MLA Jon Reyes told the crowd on Tuesday that the community needs to find strength while recognizing people are upset and want revenge.
Like the Adao family, many Filipinos come to Canada to work hard and serve the local community, he said.
“This shouldn’t happen to those people that work hard, who have dreams, have been successful, give back to the community and for this to happen, I can’t imagine.”
A GoFundMe is ongoing to help raise funds for the family.
https://www.gofundme.com/mvc.php?route=homepage_norma/search&term=jaime%20adao