Family and friends gathered Sunday to remember a former intern for Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes and Trumbull native who was stabbed and killed on the Metro in Washington, D.C. over the Fourth of July weekend.
Kevin Sutherland, 24, was stabbed to death on a D.C. Metro train while on his way to visit friends for a Fourth of July party.
Police in Washington, D.C. have arrested Jasper Spires in connection with Sutherland's death. Investigators think Spires stabbed Sutherland on the train in between stops during a robbery gone awry.
According to court documents, Spires had been arrested July 2 on felony charges pertaining to robbery and violence. The charges were downgraded to a single misdemeanor, and Spires was released from custody July 3. He allegedly killed Sutherland the next day.
Calling hours were held Sunday at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home in Trumbull and and funeral services will be there on Monday morning. A funeral Mass will be at Saint Jude Church in Monroe on Monday morning, followed by his burial at St. Monica Mausoleum in Trumbull's Gate of Heaven Cemetery, according to his obituary.
Family and friends still are struggling to deal with Sutherland's death, but Sunday was more about looking back on how the American University graduate lived his life.
"He was an amazing guy and one of our best friends," said Palak Gosar, a friend of Sutherland's.
Family friend Anita McBride read a statement from Sutherland's parents.
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"His last six years in Washington, D.C. were the happiest times of his life," said McBride.
Sutherland loved photography, and a shot of the U.S. Capitol was one of his favorites. His other passion was politics.
He had interned for Himes and worked on the staff of the congressman, who tweeted his disbelief Sunday after learning of Sutherland's death. His recent work included helping Democratic campaigns.
"Am absolutely heartbroken by the tragic loss of intern, staffer & wonderful friend, Kevin Sutherland," Himes wrote. "I've known few as selfless & decent."
"The day before, he and I got lunch together and his exact words were this, "I've never been happier working than I am right now,'" Gosar said.
Family and friends have started funds for a scholarship and internship in his name through his alma mater, American University.
"The Trumbull, Connecticut native left his mark on AU as a two-term secretary of the student government, an advocate for liberal causes, and a kind and passionate friend to many," according to the scholarship and internship page on the AU website. "Diving into life in Washington, Kevin interned for U.S. Representative Jim Himes and after graduation, worked for New Blue Interactive, a digital strategy firm that helps Democratic candidates’ fundraising programs."
Click here for more information on how to donate to the Kevin Joseph Sutherland Memorial Fund started by his family and friends and the Kevin Sutherland Internship Fund established by his coworkers.
