Fatal White Rock stabbing leaves victim’s friends in shock
Posted April 24, 2024 2:48 pm.
Last Updated April 24, 2024 8:21 pm.
Friends of the man who was stabbed and killed in White Rock Tuesday night say they’re in complete disbelief, as the community grapples with two violent incidents in about as many days.
Kulwinder Sohi was with a friend near Marine Drive, just east of Dolphin Street, when he was stabbed just before 9:30 p.m.
Gagan Singh tells OMNI News he was told about his friend’s tragic death around 11:30 p.m.
“We rushed towards the house and we went to see the friend who was with Kulwinder,” Singh recalled.
He says the friend told him they were sitting and enjoying the view of White Rock beach when someone came up behind them and attacked Sohi.
“Kulwinder tried to protect himself, he tried to fight, he tried to defend, but they decided to run toward the parking and the attacker was seemingly very relaxed, he just went into the bushes again,” Singh explained.
“When Kulwinder went into the parking lot, he fell down and lost consciousness.”
Singh says ambulances arrived and provided CPR to Sohi for nearly an hour. Despite these efforts, he did not survive.
“We just want justice for Kulwinder because he worked hard for the last five years, and this was a time for him to shine. He got his Red Seal ticket for plumbing, he was doing so well, he was supporting his family, and he just got this type of fatality that he didn’t deserve. We are all very shocked,” Singh said.
“Kulwinder was always very personable, a very communicative person, social person. He was always willing to help and always stayed in touch. He used to work from 6:30 in the morning to 4:30 p.m. — he was a very disciplined guy, he knew he had to wake up early in the morning every day, and he was very passionate towards his profession in plumbing.”
According to Singh, Sohi came to Canada in 2018. The pair had been friends ever since.
Singh says Sohi’s younger brother has also relocated to Canada, while his parents remain in India.
“They are very shocked right now. His brother is, right now, in shock as well. We are trying to help him but this is very unfortunate,” Singh said.
Sohi’s death came just two days after another stabbing in White Rock. On Sunday, Manpreet Kaur and her husband Jatinder Singh were spending what was supposed to be a relaxing night on the White Rock Pier when the 28-year-old man was stabbed in the neck from behind.
Kaur reported the suspect was a stranger and that the attack was unprovoked. According to the White Rock RCMP, the stabbing was reported around 9 p.m.
In both cases, similar suspect descriptions have been provided.
“Given the apparent similarities between this incident and the one which occurred on Sunday evening, police are investigating to determine whether or not there is a conclusive link between the two events,” Const. Chantal Sears said Wednesday.
However, in a news conference Wednesday afternoon, the RCMP said it could not confirm if the two stabbings were related. Mounties did say they would be increasing patrols.
Increased police presence
Staff Sgt. Rob Dixon says identifying the suspect is the top priority for police.
He adds, despite the pair of stabbings, the waterfront is safe and people do not need to change their behaviour.
“I would be walking with my family as per normal. I would allow my mother to walk as per normal in the area,” he said Wednesday.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area — the public will see police more. But seeing police more doesn’t mean it’s any more dangerous.”
Dixon says police increased patrols after the stabbing on Sunday, but adds after Tuesday night’s violence, there will be dedicated officers on the waterfront at all times.
