THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced on Tuesday that an 18-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Mahekpreet Sethi in Surrey’s Tamanawis Secondary School parking lot on November 22, 2022.

As the suspect was a Young Offender at the time of the homicide, his name will not be released publicly, IHIT said.

“IHIT’s investigative team has remained committed to this investigation over the past year. We would like to thank the Surrey RCMP, the staff and students at Tamanawis Secondary School and the entire community, for their support throughout this investigation,” said IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti.

“Serious incidents such as this have a profound impact on all those involved. IHIT and the Surrey RCMP will continue to support the community and all those affected by this senseless tragedy.”

Anyone in need of support as a result of this incident is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP Victim Services at 604-599-7600 or by email at Surrey_Victim_Services@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

On June 15, 2023, IHIT had announced that they had arrested a man in relation to that incident.

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,” Pierotti said last June. “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.”