Michael Jok, 17, was a Sudanese refugee whose family came to Canada to find a better life after his father was killed. (Family photo)

The family of a Winnipeg teenager killed on the weekend has been traumatized by his death, according to a family friend.

Michael Jok, 17, who was fatally stabbed downtown, was a Sudanese refugee who came to Canada with family desperate to escape conflict after his father was killed.

Family friend Gaylene Dempsey said Jok's 19-year-old sister had the difficult task of going to identify her brother's body.

"[She] had to find this out all by herself. It's really, really difficult," Dempsey said. "And then [she] had to tell her mom. Her mom's taking it really hard."

The Jok family left Sudan to escape violence and to give the children an opportunity to get an education, Dempsey said, noting Jok attended Miles Macdonell Collegiate and the death of the popular boy has affected that community as well.

"I talked to his teachers and they are devastated — that's an understatement to be honest," she said. "That's how much of an impact this kid makes. They just can't believe that this could happen to a kid like him, who lived in Transcona, went to Miles Mac, went to a really good school, you know?"

Jok was killed on Young Street near Portage Avenue early Sunday morning after he and a friend, who were walking on Young, got into a verbal dispute with a group of people in a car. The dispute escalated into a street brawl when the people in the car got out, police said.

Both Jok and his 21-year-old friend were stabbed. Jok was rushed to hospital where he died. The friend was treated for injuries and released.

Police, who have not released the identity of the friend, said Jok's death does not appear to have been drug- or gang-related.

No arrests have been made. Jok's death is Winnipeg's 20th homicide of 2009.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspect or suspects is asked to contact investigators at 986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 786-TIPS (8477).