A stabbing that took place in Vancouver’s West End on the weekend has resulted in the arrest of a suspect.

Last week, a father from Haida Gwaii, who is mourning the loss of his son, asked for the public’s assistance in solving the mystery of what happened in a fatal stabbing in Gastown on Easter Sunday.

Meanwhile in other recent news, a man received a life sentence for a fatal stabbing in 2019. In addition, Vancouver police previously revealed that 24-year-old Luis Rosas Saenz was the victim of a fatal stabbing in Kerrisdale on July 10.

West End

A security guard sustained serious injuries yesterday during a stabbing incident at a store in Vancouver’s West End.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) announced today (July 19) that police received several 911 calls around 10 a.m. on July 18 about a security guard who had been stabbed multiple times during an encounter with a shoplifter at a drug store near Thurlow and Davie streets.

The VPD did not name the store but News 1130 has identified the location as Shoppers Drug Mart.

The suspect fled before police arrived at the scene.

Officers performed first aid on the stabbing victim until paramedics arrived and took him to hospital.  

“The victim has serious injuries, but we hope he will make a full recovery,” VPD spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison stated in a news release.

Investigators identified the suspect and traced him to a building in the Downtown Eastside, where officers arrested him as he left the building around 7 p.m. on the same day.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released, is now facing weapons and assault charges.

Gastown

In a separate stabbing case, the VPD announced on July 14 that investigators believe there are individuals with information about a fatal stabbing that took place earlier this year, as detective do know that there were “dozens of people standing nearby” at the time.

Around 10 p.m. on April 4, 37-year-old Robinson Russ had just left an Easter dinner and was standing on the south side of West Hastings Street, between Carrall and Abbott streets, when someone stabbed him.

When he collapsed on the sidewalk, bystanders mistakenly thought he was suffering from a drug overdose and called 911.

When paramedics arrived, they discovered he had been stabbed.

According to the VPD, Robinson was born and raised on Haida Gwaii but came to Vancouver 11 years ago to work in construction, but remained close with his extended family.

“Robinson had a family that loved him very much, and his death has left three young children without their father,” VPD spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison stated in a news release.  “We owe it to them to solve this case, and we’re appealing for anyone who knows what happened to do the right thing.”

Russ’s father, who often visited Russ, came to Vancouver from Haida Gwaii last week to make a public appeal for information.

“I’m reaching out to everybody and asking for help so at least I can get some peace,” Davis said. “Every time I’d come down here he’d always come to my room and we’d go for a meal. I still have one text message from him, telling me that he loved me. I saved it on my phone and every time I think of him I look at it.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the VPD Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500 or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Surrey

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced in a news release on July 15 that a man has been sentenced in the fatal stabbing that took place two years ago.

According to IHIT, 68-year-old Tee Bor was found stabbed at his residence at 105^th Avenue near 132^nd Street in Surrey on February 17, 2019.

After an investigation, police arrested and charged 28-year-old Pee Lee Pi in July 2019 with second-degree murder.

This year on February 18, Pi was found guilty of second-degree murder. Then on July 9, Pi was sentenced to life in prison, with an eligibility for parole in 12 years.

“A significant amount of effort went into this investigation and prosecution by the police and the BC Prosecution Service,” IHIT Sgt. Sergeant David Lee stated in a news release.  “We hope this outcome helps the family and friends of Mr. Bor find the closure they need.”