Aaron Shoulders
 My
Son Aaron Shoulders graduated from High School in June and
celebrated his 18th Birthday on July 24th, 2003. Aaron was
a sensitive, kind and compassionate young man. Very loyal,
responsible and mature. Highly motivated and had many Goals
and Dreams.
His discipline was evident, as he had dedicated
3 ½ years to weight lifting and body-building in High
school. Aaron had chosen to become a Welder and was registered
with the Government of Canada for his 3-year apprenticeship
through SAIT.
On August 16, 2003 my Son Aaron and I had planned
to watch movies at home. Aaron loved Blizzards from the Dairy
Queen and had asked me to pick some up. At around 8:30 PM
Aaron's friend called him to go to the club dancing (my Son
loved to dance), which they had planned around Aaron's 18th
Birthday, to celebrate. I gave him a ride and dropped him
off at his friend’s house around 9pm. Aaron told me
that he would come home, but it would be late. He was always
so good at letting me know when and where he was going, and
if he’d be home or not.
That same evening I had a very restless night
for some reason. I fell asleep but woke at about 2:30 am.
My stomach was so upset that I went to the store and picked
up some Ginger ale. I could not sleep for a long time and
finally fell asleep again at 5am. At 7:05 am I was woken up
by a phone call. Still half asleep, I did not understand much
at first until I heard my Son's name and that Aaron had been
involved in an altercation and was in ICU at the Foothills
Hospital. It was the Surgeon on the phone, telling me to come
right away. I had asked if my Son was going to be OK, but
he would not answer me.
Against all instructions from Aaron's Doctor,
I drove to the Hospital in tears,
praying.... having no idea what I was going to see. I called
my girlfriend from the car, to pray and call to get the prayer
chain started. Only God could help now.
I arrived at ICU and was told to wait
for the Police and the Doctor to come and talk to me. The
Police could not tell me much, other than Aaron tried to stop
a fight that was started in NYLAS nightclub between his friend
and about 20 Asians. The bouncers kicked my Son and his friends
out on the street without calling the Police. Being outdoors
with no security near by, my Son became their victim. He was
attacked by about 12 Asians and stabbed once, slicing all
his main organs. The police officer had to stay by Aaron’s
bedside for 24 hours in case it turned into a homicide.
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