Vancouver Chinatown fatal stabbing suspect charged with murder

A 30-year-old from Surrey is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the stabbing death of a man in Vancouver’s Chinatown last month, according to police.

The Vancouver Police Department says Jaal Routh Kueth has been charged in connection with the death of Nikolai Sugak.

The 32-year-old died on Feb. 6 after police say he was stabbed in Shanghai Alley near West Pender Street and Carrall Street.

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Const. Tania Visintin says the arrest and murder charge come after a five-week police investigation.

“This violent offence caused significant concern about crime and public safety in the neighbourhood,” she said. “Our homicide team worked quickly to collect key evidence that led to the arrest of the suspect, and we hope this arrest will restore a sense of ease in the area.”

She adds the suspect and victim appear to have been strangers.

“We have found no evidence that the victim and his attacker knew each other or had any prior interactions before the murder,” she said.

The suspect remains in custody.