ON Friday, November 19 at approximately 6:32 a.m., the New Westminster Police Department received a call from the Waves Coffee House on Columbia Street advising that a male had entered the store and was bleeding heavily.

NWPD patrol members located the victim and along with New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services provided lifesaving interventions. The male, who was suffering from life-threatening injuries, was transported to the Royal Columbian Hospital where lifesaving interventions continued; however, he did not survive.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has assumed conduct of this investigation and will be working in partnership with the New Westminster Police Major Crime Unit to gather evidence and determine motive.

IHIT investigators are requesting assistance from the public and are seeking witnesses who may have seen or overheard an altercation. Police are also asking anyone with residential or commercial video footage or dashcam video to come forward.

Police are in the early stages of this investigation and are currently in the evidence gathering phase. At this time, investigators do not believe this homicide is linked to the ongoing Lower Mainland Gang Conflict.

“We understand there were witnesses to this incident and may be distressed by what they saw,” said Sgt. Sanjay Kumar. “We encourage anyone who may have been affected by this morning’s incident to reach out to our Victim Assistance Unit.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448). The Victim Assistance Unit can be reached at 604-529-2525.