WHISTLER -- Three teenagers have been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing in Whistler on Sunday of 19 year-old Luka Gordic.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced that three 17-year-old suspects are facing manslaughter charges after what police described as "an altercation between two groups spending the long weekend in Whistler."

IHIT media officer Sgt. Stephanie Ashton said an 18 year-old man is also facing charges.

"This was a situation where a group of young people who knew each other had a dispute which turned deadly," Ashton said.

"There are some witnesses who have yet to speak with investigators about the death of Luka Gordic. We ask that those people come forward now and tell us what they know."

She said the accused all appeared in North Vancouver Provincial Court on Tuesday.

Gordic was stabbed about 12:30 a.m. Sunday near Main Street in Whistler.

Gordic was taken to the local clinic with life-threatening injuries and later died.

Gordic's older brother Milos described the teen as his best friend and said the family is devastated by the homicide.

"This has been beyond devastating,'' Milos told the Canadian Press on Monday.

"People are going to think this is a gang-on-gang thing but it's not like that . . . He was an innocent little man.''

He said Luka, who turned 19 earlier this month, graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School a year ago and was studying to become a plumber at Pacific Vocational College.

He was the youngest of four kids and lived at home with his parents, two older brothers, one sister and the family dog.

"Something's got to be done,'' said Milos, describing his family as furious.

"You've got innocent kids getting stabbed,'' he said. "It shouldn't happen to anyone.''

As for those responsible for the stabbing, Milos said he expects them to be punished by the law.

"They hurt a lot of people, those guys,'' he said. ``I hope they know what they did.''

There was a second stabbing Sunday night in Whistler in which another 19-year-old suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police said it was unrelated to Gordic's death.

Anyone with information about the fatal stabbing is asked to call the IHIT tipline at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

===

Click here to report a typo or visit vancouversun.com/typo.

Is there more to this story? We'd like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. CLICK HERE or go to vancouversun.com/moretothestory