Residents terrified after two stabbings at White Rock pier
Popular boardwalk has emptied after attacks this week on South Asian men
Despite assurances by authorities that everything is being done to probe two stabbing incidents this week along a popular waterfront promenade, members of the White Rock community said Friday that they feel paralyzed by fear.
In the wake of the pair of attacks on two South Asian men, volunteer safety patrols in the seaside community have been suspended. Some parents have resorted to dropping their children off at school instead of letting them walk there. Businesses are also reporting a decline in customers.
“I don't feel safe to be there on foot anymore,” said Gurmeet Gill, 50, a realtor who lives near the city's promenade and is using his car a lot more to get around.
Typically during this time of year, the waterfront area is populated with people walking their dogs and taking in the beach views, even on rainy days, Gill said.
“Now, there is nobody on the pier other than police,” said Gill, noting that he has started driving his teenage son to and from high school.
“My family and I just don't feel safe with a criminal like this on the loose. Another stabbing like this could happen to anyone, not just South Asian people like us.”
Kulwinder Sohi was fatally stabbed by an unknown suspect Tuesday evening while sitting in a public area east of the pier with a female friend at around 9:30 p.m.
Homicide investigators believe Sohi, 27, and the suspect became involved in an altercation before he succumbed to his injuries.
The fatal attack happened two days after a similar knife assault injured Jatinder Singh, 28. Singh was sitting on a bench along the boardwalk with his wife when he was stabbed in the neck, apparently at random. Singh is currently recovering at home.
In both cases, authorities described the suspect as a darkskinned man, about five foot 11, who wore a hat and grey hoodie. The suspect was last seen fleeing north from the bloody scene near the promenade following Sohi's death.
Sergeant Timothy Pierotti of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team told reporters Friday that while there are similarities between the two incidents, police have not drawn a link between the stabbings or whether the same person is responsible.
“We're not going to jump to conclusions,” Pierotti said.
Police at Friday's news conference also said they are “not ruling out” the possibility that South Asian men were specifically targeted.
Mayor Megan Knight said the city is planning a town-hall meeting, in conjunction with the RCMP, so that residents can voice their concerns about public safety.
“The White Rock RCMP and IHIT are exploring all possible leads. I have full confidence in them that they will bring this person to justice.”
A day earlier, the province's public safety minister said catching the suspect is a top priority.
“It's very, very concerning. I can tell you police are throwing a significant amount of resources at this. They are confident they will catch the individual,” Mike Farnworth said.
Gagan Singh told Postmedia that after his friend Sohi was stabbed multiple times from behind, he turned around and tried to defend himself from further attacks.
“The girl who was with him that night saw it all. She told us the killer even smiled as they ran away,” Singh said Friday.
Since Sohi's death, his family has raised more than $50,000 online to repatriate his remains back to India, where his parents live. He came to Canada in 2008 and was working as a plumber. On Friday, an update posted to the Gofundme page by Sohi's brother, Gurleen, said what he wants most is justice for his brother.
“Please do not donate any more money,” the post reads. “We need your prayers and blessings so that my brother's soul can rest in peace and we can get him justice.”
In the wake of the attacks, the Surrey Crime Prevention Society suspended the deployment of youth volunteers to the seaside community. Society volunteers — a majority of whom are of South Asian descent — typically canvass the area for speeding motorists, graffiti and licence plates of vehicles listed as stolen.
“They are no longer allowed to do walking patrols,” society president Mani Fallon told Postmedia.
While RCMP patrols have been increased in the area, White Rock business representatives say many local customers are choosing to avoid the neighbourhood until a suspect is caught.
“We've seen fewer people down at the waterfront, which has been impacting businesses,” said Leah Chandler, board chair of the White Rock Business Improvement Association. “We're encouraging people to come down in the buddy system. It is very safe, as long as you are aware of your surroundings. Order takeout to still support businesses at this time.”
Anyone with information or dashcam footage around the time of either attack is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.