VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Homicide investigators in British Columbia’s two largest cities are still grappling with the puzzle of why and how more than 26 people lost their lives in 2023. The victims include a 17-year-old who was fatally stabbed on a bus, another individual stabbed in front of a busy downtown coffee shop, and another allegedly targeted by the Indian government.
In Vancouver, 13 men were killed over the past year, and the gender of a 14th victim remains undisclosed by investigators. However, charges have only been laid in two of the 14 homicides.
“Investigating a homicide is one of the most serious crimes that the VPD handles, and we allocate significant resources to ensure that the best evidence is collected,” said Constable Tania Visintin of the Vancouver Police Department.
This year, Surrey has reported 12 homicides, compared to 22 in 2022 and 10 in 2021. The victims’ ages range from 17 to 58, with an average age of 42, making them older than those in Vancouver.
Meanwhile, in Surrey, IHIT is leading the investigations into the homicides, dedicating themselves to solving each case for as long as it takes. Charges have been laid in only three cases out of the 12 homicides reported in Surrey this year.
The ongoing investigations in both cities continue to raise concerns about public safety and crime in the region. The escalating violence has become a vexing issue for authorities and the communities affected by the tragic loss of lives.