IHIT seeking witnesses after stabbings, police shooting around Surrey’s Holland Park

Investigators have released more details after police shot and killed a man suspected of two stabbings in Surrey Friday afternoon.

Around 1 p.m., the Surrey Police Service (SPS) responded to reports of an assault at a building near Holland Park.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!

When officers reached the scene, they found two victims suffering from stab wounds, and the suspect had fled.

According to police, the SPS found the suspect, a man, nearby.

Officers reportedly confronted the man, shooting and seriously injuring him. He was taken to hospital, where he later died.

Police and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) administered emergency medical interventions to both stabbing victims. One died on scene. The other is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

In an update Monday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) shared more about the victims’ identities.

“The deceased stabbing victim was a 55-year-old man who lived in the same building as the alleged suspect, a 65-year-old man. The surviving stabbing victim is a 35-year-old woman who was in the vicinity of the building,” said a statement.

Investigators believe the deceased suspect was responsible for both stabbings, and there are no other outstanding suspects.

IHIT Sgt. Freda Fong commended the SPS for bringing a “dynamic situation under control.”

“Though the alleged suspect is now deceased, IHIT will continue a fulsome investigation into the sequence of events in hopes of uncovering the motivation and sequence of events behind what appears to be an unprovoked attack. We extend our thoughts to the family members of the deceased as well as the surviving victim,” said Fong.

Anyone with information regarding the stabbing incidents is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or via email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

On Friday, the Surrey Police Service notified the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO).

The IIO is the civilian oversight agency for police and detention guards in B.C. It’s called to investigate after any police-related incidents that result in death or serious injury, whether or not there are any allegations of wrongdoing.

On Saturday, the IIO appealed to the public, seeking witnesses and information for its own investigation.

“Because it did happen in a relatively populated area of Surrey at a relatively early time of the day, we are very hopeful that a number of people witnessed it or may have recorded it,” said IIO media and communications liaison Simon Druker.

“In general, witness accounts can be very helpful to speeding up or furthering IIO investigations. So please do give us a call if you saw anything.”

—With files from Raynee Novak and Emma Crawford

More From Vancouver Chronicles