Two stabbings have taken place in Vancouver over the past few days—one occurred at a home in East Vancouver, which resulted in a fatality, while the other happened on the seawall in the West End.

Collingwood stabbing

Investigators have revealed the identity of a stabbing victim in the Collingwood neighbourhood of East Vancouver.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) stated on May 25 that around 2:30 a.m. on May 22, officers responded to reports that a man had been injured at a home near Joyce Street and Vanness Avenue.

Upon arrival, police found a 59-year-old man suffering from several stab wounds. Although he was taken to hospital, he later died on May 24.

On the same day as the stabbing, officers arrested 38-year-old Rajesh Narayan, who has been charged with second-degree murder.

Today (May 27), the VPD identified the victim as Richard William Hooper. Investigators believe that the two individuals knew each other.

Hooper is the victim of the city’s seventh homicide this year.

Seawall stabbing

Meanwhile in a separate case, VPD also announced earlier today that a 25-year-old male suspect was arrested on May 26 after police received several calls at 4:15 p.m. on that day about a stabbing at Sunset Beach.

The suspect was allegedly skateboarding on the walking path of the seawall when he collided with a jogger, who was uninjured and resumed his job.

Then, an unidentified man and woman approached the suspect, suggested that he use a different part of the path to skateboard, and an argument developed. When a 33-year-old man intervened, the suspect allegedly stabbed him.

“Despite being stabbed in multiple areas, the victim did not sustain any life-threatening injuries,” VPD spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin said in a news release. “There is absolutely no need whatsoever for any member of the public to be carrying any type of weapon on them.  If someone encounters conflict with another person, we want people to call police immediately.”

The suspect remains in custody and police are recommending charges of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

The VPD stated that there have been four violent incidents on and around Downtown Vancouver beaches over the past four weeks.