It was time for Campbellton to get united to pay homage to the young boys who were killed by an African rock python on Monday morning.

About 1,000 people got together on Wednesday night with candles in their hand. The gathering, which started with a silent prayer, had the friends, family members and people from their community. They came to honour the young children, Noah and Connor Barthe, and to grieve over the unfortunate incident.

The vigil lasted for 30 minutes as people sang and prayed in fond memory of the young boys who preferred living life to the full. Father Claude Benoit (Notre-Dame des Neiges) told the grieving parents of the boys that they were not alone in the grief. Everyone was affected by that tragic incident when a pet python strangled Noah and Connor while they were asleep at their friend's place for a sleepover.

Hundreds of candles were seen floating in the Salmon Plaza fountain near the Restigouche River as people released the same in memory of Noah and Connor Barthe. Candles and teddy bears were kept on the street in front of the flat where they breathed their last.

The African rock python that killed the boys shocked the snake experts by the act as the species is not known to have attacked humans before. According to experts, it was extremely unlikely for the serpent to attack the young boys.

On the other hand, an African rock python is an expert hunter of larger animals like goats. It was definitely possible that the children still had similar odour on their body as their body as they had played with such animals earlier that day in the farm. The farm belongs to Jean-Claude Savoie, the father of their friend, who was the owner of the killer pet as well.

Mr Savoie has been the owner of the African rock python for 10 years. Later, it was confirmed by officials that Mr Savoie was not legally permitted to keep the snake. Therefore, it was illegal on his part to keep the snake in his private zoo.

The police started criminal investigation earlier. A veterinarian later killed the snake that was responsible for the incident. After that, the snake was sent for further examination and a necropsy to confirm the species. It will also help the experts understand the reason that might have triggered the snake to kill the innocent boys.