WHITE ROCK, B.C. — Police in White Rock, B.C., say two stabbings in the city within a few days and with apparent similarities are "alarming."
RCMP Staff Sgt. Rob Dixon said although these incidents are shocking and tragic, as someone who lives in the area, he would still "allow his mother (to) walk as per normal in that area."
One man was stabbed to death Tuesday night while another was slashed late Sunday, both in the area of the White Rock Pier, a popular attraction in the beachside community.
Dixon said there will be an increased police presence in the waterfront area following the attacks.
The suspect's description in both attacks are similar: a black male, five feet 11 inches tall, wearing a hat and a grey hoodie.
"The acts of violence are alarming to me and members of our community. It's not something we're accustomed to seeing here in White Rock," Dixon said during a news conference on Wednesday.
"I want to assure the public that identifying and locating suspects to prevent similar incidents is our top priority," said Dixon.
"We are bringing in dedicated resources for the waterfront. As of Sunday, we decided to increase the frequency of our patrols down there … we're increasing the amount of members that we have in the area."
Given the similarities between these two stabbings, Dixon said police are trying to determine if there is a "conclusive link" between these two cases.
Sgt. Timothy Pierotti with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said they don't know if the homicide on Tuesday is a targeted stabbing or random.
He said investigators want to speak to as many people as possible to build a complete picture of what happened in the White Rock pier area between 9 and 10 p.m. Tuesday.
White Rock Mayor Megan Knight said as someone who has been living in the city for 45 years, she was "completely shocked" to hear about the stabbings.
"It's terrifying when you think that something like this is going on in your neighbourhood, and I'm the mayor of the city and what's happening?" she said.
"We want to help and bring this person to justice," she said.
Knight said the city will work with the police to give them whatever support they can.
"If that's more boots on the ground or cameras or whatever it's going to be, we will support it," said Knight.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2024.
The Canadian Press
