KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Phillip Schiering Gets His Black Belt

SPOKANE, Wash. - A black belt is considered the highest honor in Martial Arts, and on Wednesday night it was given to a very deserving young boy. "The first lesson I taught you was a bow, the most basic movement in Martial Arts and the deepest sign of respect. If you remember I did it with a smile and a commitment to you and your family. All I have to give you is love and support but is yours to no end," said coach Brent Tibbetts.

9-year-old Phillip Schiering was killed inside his home along with his mother Rebecca more than a week ago.

Phillip's friends remember him as a good kid, a close friend and a fighter when it came to karate and someone with a lot of energy.

Wednesday night his friends, classmates, coach and others gathered at 3-Tigers Martial Arts inside the St. Paschals church off North Park Rd. where Phillip was awarded a blackbelt in a ceremony called "candle and soap, "an ancient ceremony for those who have reached the highest honors in Martial Arts.

Although Phillip was only 9-years-old, his coach believes he went to his mothers aid the night they died, and says a blackbelt is more than knowing how to do a kick or a punch, but it's determined also by a persons character, and says Phillip was a brave young man.

KHQ's Kevin Randall spoke with one of Phillip's closest friends, 8-year-old Braendon Alfana. "He was only an orange belt and he left, and don't really no why, but now he's going to skip a whole bunch of belts and go to a black belt. His karate skills were good, and very talented. "I wish he would come back and that he was still alive."

To end the ceremony the group performed a bow, the first lesson in Martial Arts coach Tibbetts taught Phillip and his classmates, a symbol of respect and love.

The black belt will be given to Phillip's older brother Brian who couldn't make the ceremony.