Fatal stabbing near White Rock promenade under investigation: RCMP
A homicide is under investigation in White Rock, B.C., marking the second stabbing near the waterfront promenade in a 48-hour period.
Police said they were called to Marine Drive between Cypress and Dolphin streets just before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday about a man with apparent stab wounds. While life-saving measures were given to the victim, he died on scene.
Investigators said a suspect has not been located, even though police "arrived on scene within minutes of the initial call."
The suspect is described as a Black man who is about 5'11". Police said he was seen wearing a hat and a grey hoodie at the time of the stabbing, and was last seen heading north from the promenade towards Marine Drive.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken conduct of the investigation and the area will be blocked off "for an undetermined amount of time," police said.
Tuesday's stabbing is the second in just two days. Police were called to the promenade on Sunday night at about 9 p.m. In that incident, a 28-year-old victim was sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Few details have been provided about that incident, but police said they don't believe the victim and suspect knew each other, "or that there was any confrontation prior to the incident.”
At a news conference Wednesday, Sgt. Timothy Pierotti with IHIT said police are still in the very early stages of their investigation and “working to determine exactly what happened.” Police said they could not confirm whether Tuesday’s stabbing was targeted or whether the two incidents are connected.
“We're still looking to speak to as many people as possible and build a complete picture of what happened here,” Pierotti said. “Homicides are complex. There's no simple homicides. Whether this stemmed from an incident that occurred a week before, a month before, or whether it stemmed from nothing at all, that's what we’re going to determine.”
A similar suspect description was provided for the two incidents, but Staff Sgt. Rob Dixon with White Rock RCMP said they're still "investigating to determine whether or not there is a conclusive link.”
“Above all, I want to extend our condolences to the family of the young victim impacted by the tragic events last night,” White Rock Mayor Megan Knight said at the news conference.
She said in light of the violent incidents, extra police officers have been deployed to patrol the waterfront area and their patrols will be increasing in frequency.
“We urge all residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant,” she said. “Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our citizens.”
Dixon acknowledged that the string of violence has undoubtedly raised concerns in the community, and emphasized that identifying the suspect and keeping the public safe is the detachment’s top priority.
“It's important to recognize the fact that while these are very shocking, tragic incidents, it's an abnormality,” he said at the news conference.
“I'm here all the time. I would be walking with my family as per normal. I would allow my mother to walk as per normal in the area,” he continued. “I would not change any of my own behavior.”
“I think it's always a good idea to exercise a certain degree of caution in these situations for sure, but I don't think that we're in a situation where people have to dramatically alter their lives.”
The victim of Tuesday’s fatal stabbing has not been identified publicly, but Pierotti said investigators have been in contact with his family.
One resident who has lived in the area for 13 years told CTV News Vancouver the "community's changed a lot," with more parties and bonfires in the area.
"We've never had this type of problem down here in White Rock and it's a shame," Brad Sakiyama said, adding people are scared. "It's been a little wild down here lately."
Knight said at the news conference that crime numbers have been going down in the city. “We've been very nice and comfortable here, so this has been a big shock to our community for sure,” she said.
White Rock city council directed staff to look into installing CCTV cameras last November, and a report is forthcoming.
“I've lived here for 45 years, so I was completely shocked when it first happened on Sunday night, and then again last night. So it’s terrifying when you think that something like this is going on in your neighborhood,” Knight said.
“This is when I leave it to the professionals. They know what they're doing, and we're going to run the city and we'll give them whatever support we can. If that's more boots on the ground, or cameras, or whatever it's going to be, we will support it.”
Pierotti urged anyone with dash camera or cell phone video to come forward, whether or not you think it actually captured anything.
“You never know what you may have driven past and not noticed that could help our investigation,” he said. “You never know what's gonna be in the background of a photo you took, or that thing that didn't seem suspicious to you may be linked to this homicide.”
IHIT can be reached at 1-877-551-4448 or ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Kraig Krause
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.