Two separate investigations are underway into altercations that took place in Metro Vancouver. One was at a Surrey mall, after which one individual died, and the other was at a park in Delta.

Surrey

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced today (July 7) that investigators are searching for witnesses of a fight at a Surrey mall last month.

IHIT stated in a news release that a physical altercation developed between two males outside Tim Hortons in the rotunda at Central City shopping centre in Surrey around 8:30 a.m. on June 7.

One male was injured and taken to hospital. However, his condition worsened over the next few days and he eventually died from his injuries.

Surrey RCMP received notification about the death of the individual, identified as 60-year-old Andrew Doucette, on June 17 and IHIT took over the case on June 21.

IHIT Sgt. David Lee told the Georgia Straight that the other individual has been identified. His identity is not being released at this point, as investigators are still trying to establish the circumstances of the event, and no arrests have been made yet.

IHIT investigators—who are working with mall security, Surrey RCMP, and the B.C. Coroners Service—reviewed surveillance footage from the mall, which shows several bystanders before and after the incident.  

Any witnesses who were in the mall rotunda around the time of the altercation are asked to contact IHIT by phone at 1-877-551-4448 or by email.

Delta

Meanwhile in an unrelated assault incident, the Delta Police Department stated today (July 7) that an investigation has been launched into an assault that took place at a park in North Delta shortly before 9 p.m. on July 6.

When man approached three males who were smashing bottles in the park, an altercation developed. The man sustained non-life-threatening injuries and the three males fled the scene.

Police were unable to locate the three males, whose pictures have allegedly been shared on social media.

Anyone who can identify the three males or who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the DPD at 604-946-4411.