CBC Hockey team skates with Colin Brown in their hearts

AFFTON, Mo. - Hours after the announcement that an arrest was made in the shooting death of Christian Brother College High School student Colin Brown Friday afternoon, the school’s hockey team he played for skated against Rockwood Summit High School at the Affton Hockey Ice Rink.

The numbers Colin wore on his hockey sweaters continue to be prominently displayed inside the arena. Someone even started a coat donation drive in his memory.

Earlier in the day, Ashley Johnson, special agent in charge of the FBI St. Louis office, said, “I’m a mother, so I deeply sympathize with the tragic loss or the imagination of a tragic loss of a child, and at one point I was a teammate, so I understand what his teammates may be going through.”

Authorities acknowledge that even though they hope the arrest will bring comfort, it will not fill the void left by last month’s tragedy. 

“Despite the arrest and charges, it won’t bring Colin back,” SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy said. “As a father myself, I pray this can bring a sense of relief and peace to Colin’s family.”

Colin’s dad is a retiree who served with the Illinois State Police. Brendan Kelly, the agency’s director, traveled to St. Louis for Friday’s announcement that an arrest had been made.

“We are about that family,” he said. “So, this is near and dear to our hearts.”

Brown’s family has shared this statement with FOX 2 on Friday:

“We are thankful for the tireless efforts of the SLMPD, FBI, St. Louis County, and Illinois State Police in working on this case and getting it to this point. Additionally, we would like to thank the prosecutor’s office and all the other law enforcement agencies not mentioned who dedicated resources and worked countless hours on behalf of our son, Colin. While there is still much to do before this case is closed, we are confident the effort shown will continue. Hopefully, this shows that senseless violence such as this that took Colin from us all can not be committed without consequence. Again, thank you to law enforcement and the community for coming forward to assist.”