Police in White Rock, B.C., say they are increasing patrols along the city’s waterfront area after a man was stabbed to death Tuesday night, two days after another man was stabbed and injured while sitting on a bench in the same area.
Family members have identified the victim in the fatal stabbing as 27-year-old Kulwinder Sohi of Surrey.
White Rock RCMP says it received a report of a man suffering from apparent stab wounds around 9:30 p.m. PT in the 15400 block of Marine Drive, a few blocks east of the White Rock Pier.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Rob Dixon said the man died at the scene. While officers arrived at the scene within minutes of the report, they couldn’t find the suspect, Dixon said.
Homicide investigators have been gathering evidence in White Rock, B.C., following the death of a man along the city’s promenade yesterday. As CBC’s Michelle Morton reports, the homicide happened only two days after another man was stabbed nearby.
Sohi’s friend and former roommate Gagan Singh, who knew the 27-year-old from before he immigrated to Canada around 2018, said that his friend was a plumber who recently obtained his Red Seal certification.
“I’m in shock, because I just spoke to him [Tuesday] afternoon, and he was very happy,” Singh said. “To me, it’s just like I’m living in a dream and I can’t imagine that he’s not here.”
Sohi was described as a personable, socially active and easygoing man by his friend, who said he had never seen the Surrey man argue with anyone.
“He’s very young guy, very talented, very skilled and and he’s not with us anymore. That’s very tragic and shocking,” Singh said.
Sohi’s friend said that he was fearful for the safety of himself and others in the entire Lower Mainland after his friend’s death.
2nd stabbing in 3 days
On Sunday, 28-year-old Jatinder Singh was stabbed in the neck while sitting on a bench with his wife near the pier. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect’s description in both attacks are similar: a Black man, standing five-feet-11-inches tall, wearing a hat and a grey hoodie.
“Given the apparent similarities between [the homicide] and the incident that occurred Sunday evening, police are investigating to determine whether or not there’s a conclusive link between these two events,” Dixon said.
White Rock Mayor Megan Knight said the stabbings have shaken the community.
“I have lived here for 45 years and I’m completely shocked,” Knight said. “It’s terrifying when you think something like this is happening…. We want to help bring this person to justice.”
White Rock RCMP say they are starting an “enhanced policing initiative” immediately, which normally sees extra patrols being conducted along the city’s promenade every summer.
Sgt. Timothy Pierotti with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said investigators will be looking into any possible links between the victims, the perpetrator and other crimes in the area.
IHIT is appealing to anyone with relevant closed-circuit video or dashcam footage to come forward.