Hilda Bell said she saw Taylor Peepeequat for the first time when he appeared in court on Thursday, charged with first-degree murder.
Hilda Bell said she felt her son’s presence when a song came on as she drove to Saskatoon provincial court on Thursday morning to face the man accused of killing 33-year-old Nicholas Bell.
“It’s just between me and Nicholas,” she said outside the courthouse.
She said she was told the shooter was trying to steal the beer.
“You should be safe to go for a five-minute walk. This city is getting crazy, you can’t really go for a walk anymore without having to worry,” Hilda said.
Taylor Peepeequat, 31, was charged on Wednesday with first-degree murder. His case was set over to Monday so he could find a lawyer.
“I feel somewhat better that this person isn’t walking free on the streets anymore, like nothing happened,” Hilda said, adding it’s been “torture” having to wait eight months for an arrest.
She said she learned on Friday that police had an arrest warrant, and was told on Wednesday that they’d made an arrest. She said she saw a picture of Peepeequat, a stranger to her, before coming to court.
“I was really, really angry because I found him to be such a coward. I’m angry, but I’m more heartbroken than anything, and traumatized and devastated because I miss my boy more and more every day.”
Hilda said Saskatoon is now a constant, painful reminder of the places she used to go with Bell, and the neighbourhoods where he worked on homes.
Bell was a drywaller and mixed martial arts fighter who had a passion for cooking. He was extremely close with Hilda and his younger sister, Praze.
“He’s one of the most thoughtful people ever. I’m here to support his mom because I know if it was me in his position, he’d be there to support my mom,” said Bell’s friend Joseph Gordon.
Friends who came to court called him a charismatic big brother, wise beyond his age, who taught them not to be afraid.
“He always brought out the best in people. He made me feel more confident than I ever was, maybe overconfident, because of the way he believes in you, the way he talks about you,” said Bell’s longtime friend, Evan Lee.
“He wanted to make sure everyone was looked after and just support us through our journeys as we became adults and went to school and started having kids,” said Alex Loken, another childhood friend.
Hilda said her son had never been in trouble with the law.
“Nicholas didn’t deserve this. He was so loved and cared for and adored and he’ll never be forgotten.”
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