Fundraiser to support family of fatal White Rock stabbing victim exceeds $40k in 16 hours

A fundraiser has been set up to support the family of a man who was stabbed and killed in White Rock this week.

GoFundMe says, in just 16 hours, the campaign had managed to raise more than $40,000 to support the loved ones of Kulwinder Singh Sohi, who lost his life the night of Tuesday, April 23.

The verified fundraiser was set up by Gurleen Sohi, Kulwinder’s brother. Gurleen says the money raised will help the family send Kulwinder’s body back to India, where his parents are.

“Kulwinder was hard working and really passionate person. I’m really shocked and depressed after this tragic loss,” Gurleen wrote on the GoFundMe page.

“Our parents are still in India and we want to give peace to Kulwinder soul by performing last rituals at our hometown.”

Fatal stabbing second violent incident in White Rock in days

Kulwinder Sohi had been out with a friend enjoying the waterfront when someone came up behind them and reportedly stabbed him multiple times.

“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,” the man’s friend, Gagan Singh, told OMNI News this week.

“When Kulwinder went into the parking lot, he fell down and lost consciousness.”

The death has left the man’s family and friends in disbelief.

“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.

According to Singh, Sohi came to Canada in 2018. The pair had been friends ever since.

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.

Jatinder was left with serious injuries and unable to work. A GoFundMe has also been set up for the couple to support them through the recovery.

As of Wednesday evening, no suspect had been arrested in either case.

Staff Sgt. Rob Dixon said in a news conference Wednesday that identifying the person or persons responsible in the stabbings is the top priority for police.

He added that, 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 said police increased patrols after the stabbing on Sunday, but added after Tuesday night’s violence, there would be dedicated officers on the waterfront at all times.

-With files from Srushti Gangdev, Charlie Carey, Mike Lloyd, and OMNI News