The mother of a Perth teenager, who died after allegedly being beaten with a metal pole, says her son will be remembered as a "young leader".
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains an image of a person who has died.
Noongar-Yamatji woman Mechelle Turvey told ABC Radio Perth her son was a "vibrant, caring, jokester with a beautiful smile" who loved school and his family.
"He just loved all the young fellas around him. Loved getting out in the community to youth centres," she said.
Tributes flow on social media
Family and friends have taken to social media to post tributes to the teenager.
Comments and posts described Cassius as a "sweet boy" with a "kind and gentle soul".
A candlelight vigil has been organised for 5:30pm at Midland Oval on October 31, coinciding with Halloween, which organisers have described as Cassius's favourite holiday.
"Please come stylin' up in your best Halloween costume!!" the event details stated.
The community is also planning to run vigils at various locations across the country on November 2.
Community outpouring of support
Cassius died on Sunday from injuries he sustained after allegedly being beaten with a metal pole on October 13 while walking with friends in Middle Swan, in Perth's east, after school.
Multiple surgeries were not enough to save him after he was admitted to hospital with serious head injuries and later placed in an induced coma.
The family has given the ABC permission to use a photo of Cassius that was taken as he lay in hospital.
Jack Steven James Brearley, 21, was remanded in custody yesterday when he faced Midland Magistrates Court charged with murder.
A GoFundMe organised for Cassius's family, titled #justiceforcassius, has raised more than $70,000.
The 15-year-old's death comes little more than a month after his father died with cancer.
Mother shines spotlight on violence
Ms Turvey has thanked the community for the outpouring of support.
"I've been over-bombarded with 'how can we support you'...he's the only son. Well, he was the only son that my husband had," she said.
Ms Turvey has raised concerns about violence against children and teenagers in the community.
"How are we supposed to raise our young youth to be leaders and take on our next generation when we're just pounding them into the ground, traumatising them, making them feel that they are absolutely nothing?" she said.
"This is just wrong; you don't just go bashing our kids ... I don't care if they are black, white or whatever. Even children who have different faiths are being attacked verbally and physically."
Deputy Premier Roger Cook said Cassius's death was a "horrible situation brought about by violence".
"This is another opportunity for all of us to remind ourselves how we have to continue to be vigilant against the rising incidence of violence in our community," he said.
The Department of Education is offering support to Cassius's classmates and others from his school.
"I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the young man who has tragically lost his life," Director General Lisa Rodgers said.
