A 14-year-old boy made a brief court appearance Friday to be charged with killing a 42-year-old Surrey man who was stabbed to death coming to the aid of his son.

Sam McGowan was fatally wounded Wednesday night in a confrontation that happened not far from his home near 148 Street and 90 Avenue around 7 p.m. .

Police responding to a report of an altercation in the area arrived to find a badly injured McGowan in the street. He was taken to hospital where he died.

McGowan's girlfriend, Michelle Proulx, told CTV News that she and McGowan were watching TV when someone came to the door and told them his son was in trouble. McGowan ran to help.

Michelle was hesitant to provide many details, but said the couple had reason to be concerned for Sam's teenaged old son.

"We were coming to get him because there was some psychotic kid running around with a knife," she said.

When Proulx saw Sam next, she says he was lying on the sidewalk bleeding.

"I held him in my arms when he took his last breath," she said.

There are unconfirmed reports that McGowan was pursuing someone who had stolen a cell phone from his son.

The regional Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has since taken over the case.

When the teen made his first appearance in Surrey Provincial Court Friday, Michelle Proulx was there.

"I don't think that I'm ever going to be at peace with any of this. I am definitely happy he has been charged," she said.

The boy's lawyer David Tarnow said people shouldn't jump to any conclusions.

"There are always two sides to these stories and I don't want people to do something that is going to be an overreaction to the situation," Tarnow said.

"I understand there are some very, very upset family members and friends of the deceased person."

The teen will remain in jail at least until his bail hearing later this month.

Anyone with information about the case should call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-543-9217, or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 604-669-TIPS.

- with files from CTV News