Friends and family are rallying around a boy attacked and abandoned in Beaumont on Tuesday, June 21.

Braydon Heather, 14, was found in the area of Rideau Crescent at about 1:30 a.m. with “obvious head injuries,” police said.

Late last week Beaumont RCMP arrested and charged a male youth with attempted murder and aggravated assault on Friday, June 24.

“This wasn’t just school bullies fighting or just a quarrel between two teenagers,” said Melanie Aube, longtime friend of the family. “This was intentional, and it was brutal and I cannot imagine what triggered someone.”

Aube described Heather as a “high energy 14-year-old always on the run, whether it be sports or hanging out with friends.”

The teen is now in stable condition after his medical team induced a coma to treat his wounds including brain injuries, according to Aube. With a full recovery that could take up to a year, Aube set up a GoFundMe page to help the family cover financial costs during that period.

“Because Amber (Heather’s mother) is going to have to quit her job or take a leave from her job, it’s going to help support the household bills, and once Braydon does come home, if she’s going to need extra home care,” Aube said.

For now, Heather’s family and friends are by his side at all times with his favourite music on, just in case he wakes up.

With files from Shanelle Kaul