The family of Zackariah Rathwell, one of five young people lost to the April 15, 2014, tragedy at a Brentwood home, released a statement on Sunday afternoon in which they invited Zackariah’s funeral to all grieving Calgarians.

The following is the Rathwell family’s statement:

We are devastated by what happened. It is a struggle every day to understand that Zackariah won’t be coming home. He was so close to so many, and touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with.

We know that the City of Calgary is grieving for the loss of these bright young people.

To the other families, please accept our deepest condolences for your loss, no one should ever have to lose someone who was so young and full of so much potential.  

We would like to thank the Calgary Police Service for their swift response and all of their support.

We would like to thank Air Canada for getting Zackariah’s brother, Mason, home to his family so quickly.

We would also like to thank everyone who has offered their prayers and condolences. We know that as we grieve, the city of Calgary grieves with us. Thank you for all your thoughts and all your prayers. Thank you for caring about Zack.

He was an amazing kid who grew into an amazing man. We didn't have him for very long, but we are so very grateful for the time that we did have him. We are all going to miss him so much.

We know that he touched the lives of so many through his kindness, his laughter and his music. Which is why we are inviting everyone to Zack’s funeral. Whether you met him once, or you didn’t know him at all but feel you need to be there to grieve, please come to Centre Street Church (3900 2 Street N.E.) on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., for Zack’s funeral.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to the Zackariah James Rathwell Trust Fund at any RBC location. This will be used to honour Zack's memory through the establishment of a scholarship which will help other students pursue their dreams in the arts.

For additional information about Zackariah's funeral, or the memorial services for Lawrence Hong, Kaiti Perras, Joshua  Hunter and Jordan Segura, visit Memorial services planned for Brentwood homicide victims