THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced on Thursday that a man has been arrested in relation to last year’s stabbing of 18-year-old Mahekpreet Sethi of Surrey outside of Tamanawis Secondary School, located in the 12600-block of 66 Avenue in Surrey.

On November 22, 2022, at approximately 12:08 p.m., the Surrey RCMP responded to the stabbing and located Sethi, suffering life-threatening injuries. Despite the best efforts of responding officers, the victim succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

A 17-year-old who was identified as a suspect by witnesses was located and taken into custody. IHIT took conduct of the investigation and continued to work closely in partnership with the Surrey RCMP, the RCMP Forensic Identification Service and the BC Coroners Service.

At the time, Tamanawis Secondary School’s Acting Principal Ian McGennis in a letter to parents and guardians of the students said the incident occurred during lunch, adding: “The incident involved an altercation that resulted in one individual sustaining serious injury. This individual is not a member of our school community.”

IHIT had said at that time that it was believed that the suspect and the victim were known to each other and that this was an isolated incident that was not believed to be associated to the Lower Mainland Gang Conflict.

On June 14, 2023, as a result of advancements in the ongoing investigation, IHIT arrested a suspect in relation to the murder.

“There are still witnesses out there that have yet to come forward. Now is the time to do the right thing,” said IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti. “If you or one of your loved ones have information about this tragedy, and you have yet to speak to the police, contact IHIT or the Surrey RCMP immediately.”

IHIT is asking that any witnesses or anyone with any information regarding the homicide who have yet to speak with police., to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.