Police say they are “not ruling out” the idea that South Asian men were specifically targeted in two high-profile stabbings in White Rock, Sunday and Tuesday.
Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) addressed media at a press conference Friday afternoon at Grand Chief Bernard Robert Charles Memorial Plaza, where the victim of the second stabbing, Kulwinder Singh Sohi, 26, died of his injuries on Tuesday night.
Sohi was sitting on a bench by the beach when he was attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times. Pierotti said an altercation between the victim and suspect ensued, which led both to make their way up the walkway until Sohi collapsed near the train tracks.
ALSO READ: Man dead after 2 people stabbed in 2 days in White Rock; suspect at large
Despite life-saving efforts from first responders who arrived just before 9:30 p.m., Sohi died on scene.
“This occurred in a very public location. From our video review, we know there were many witnesses in the area. If you were there or parked in the area, now is the time to call IHIT,” Pierotti said, in an earlier press release.
“We will continue to work tirelessly, supported by the White Rock members as well as the other I-Teams, to identify, locate and arrest the person responsible for this tragedy.”
Victims in both stabbings were South Asian. The suspect in both cases is described by police as a five-foot-eleven Black male in a grey hoodie and dark-coloured hat.
Pierotti reiterated IHIT’s call for witnesses in the area on Tuesday night to come forward, including those who may have dashcam footage from their vehicles.
“In speaking with some of the witnesses, they said that this might not have even looked like a homicide, they said they weren’t even aware that someone had been stabbed,” Pierotti said, adding that homicide investigators need more witnesses to come forward.
The Tuesday incident was the second stabbing in the seaside city. It occurred roughly 500 metres away from the first stabbing on Sunday night (April 21). The victim of the first incident survived and is recovering at home.
ALSO READ: White Rock stabbing victim’s medical costs now covered by province
“I understand there’s a lot of chatter on social media so I want to assure you that as new details and facts come to light, I will keep you well-informed,” White Rock Mayor Megan Knight said in a video statement Friday morning, posted to X.
At the media availability, Knight said that residents should think of the local businesses and people should still visit the waterfront to support them.
“If you can’t come down or you’re afraid, do some take-out or something,” she said, also urging witnesses to come forward.
“Things have gone terribly wrong and I know that people are upset and afraid but White Rock is a very safe community, this is two incidents that have just recently happened that have just thrown everybody into all of this panic and I understand that,” Knight said.
The mayor added that she has full confidence in the police to find the suspect and in the meantime, she and her family will continue to visit the popular attraction and support local businesses.
A town hall meeting with White Rock RCMP on public safety will be held at the White Rock Community Centre on Tuesday, April 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
ALSO READ: VIDEO: White Rock Mayor urges ‘extreme caution’ after 2 stabbings in 3 days
Investigators are asking any witnesses or anyone who was in the area on Tuesday between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. who may have more information or dash camera footage to contact IHIT. The investigators can be reached by calling