Surrey man charged in February 6 Chinatown murder

A suspect has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a man in Chinatown, following a five-week Vancouver Police investigation.

“This violent offence caused significant concern about crime and public safety in the neighbourhood,” said Constable Tania Visintin on Friday. “Our homicide team worked quickly to collect key evidence that led to the arrest of the suspect, and we hope this arrest will restore a sense of ease in the area.”

Victim Nikolai Sugak, 32, was discovered gravely injured near West Pender and Carrall streets shortly after midnight on February 6. Despite emergency medical attention, he died a short time later. Police believe Sugak was stabbed by a stranger in nearby Shanghai Alley before walking out into the street and collapsing.

“We have found no evidence that the victim and his attacker knew each other or had any prior interactions before the murder,” said Visintin. “We believe they were strangers.”

BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of second-degree murder against Jaal Routh Kueth, a 30-year-old man from Surrey.

Kueth remains in custody.