Family of man stabbed to death in Downtown Eastside on Easter pleads for witnesses
The family of a man fatally stabbed in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside on Easter Sunday is joining police in asking for more witnesses to come forward.
Robinson Russ was standing on the south side of West Hastings Street, between Carrall and Abbott streets around 10 p.m. on April 4 when the stabbing occurred, according to Vancouver police.
The 37-year-old had just left an Easter dinner with his extended family, and police said there were dozens of people nearby at the time of the stabbing.
On Wednesday, the slain man's father, Russell Davis, appealed to those potential witnesses directly.
“I’m reaching out to everybody and asking for help so at least I can get some peace,” Davis said in a news release issued by the Vancouver Police Department.
Davis often travelled to Vancouver from his home in Haida Gwaii to spend time with his son, who he described at a news conference Wednesday as "soft-spoken" and "a hard worker."
"It's hard coming down here today, because every time I came to Vancouver, he'd always come to see me," Davis said. "He always told me he loved me, and that meant a lot to me. I miss hearing those words."
Russ grew up in Haida Gwaii, but moved to Vancouver 11 years ago to work in construction. He had two young sons and a stepdaughter, who Davis said have been struggling since their father's death.
Police said they have made "significant progress" in their investigation into Russ's death, but they have so far been unable to identify his killer.
“There are people who know what happened, who can help us solve this case, and help Robinson’s family get some closure,” said VPD spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison, in the release.
“We need those people to come forward and tell us what they know.”
Anyone with information about the death of Robinson Russ should call the VPD's Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500, police said. Tips can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.