Fatal White Rock stabbing believed to be an 'unprovoked attack'

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is renewing a call for information after the sudden death of Delphin Paul Prestbakmo, better known as “Pauly,” a 45-year-old White Rock resident.

On Friday, August 16, at approximately 3:23 am, the Surrey RCMP received reports of a man found bleeding in the 1700 blocks of 152nd Street, near the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre.

When officers arrived, Prestbakmo was reportedly found unresponsive with serious injuries and apparent stab wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Later that day, IHIT’s Police Dog Services tracked and arrested a male living in a nearby home, however, Sgt. Frank Jang of IHIT says that he has since been released pending further investigation.

#IHIT is in the 1700-block 152 ST in #SurreyBC after a man was found dead with stab wounds early this morning at around 3am. 1 male arrested at nearby home thanks to quick action of #IntegratedPoliceDogServices & @SurreyRCMP Detectives working to ID victim. Got info? Call #IHIT pic.twitter.com/0gVmCHTRGe

— IHIT (@HomicideTeam) August 16, 2019

“Our investigators are working hard to collect evidence for furtherance to the BC Prosecution Service for charge assessment,” says Jang during a press conference. “The residents of the home where the police dog tracked are not related and are not suspects.”

Jang also says that investors believe that the suspects responsible may have known Pauly but the attack is also believed to be “unprovoked.”

IHIT also learned of an incident that occurred during the same night. Several hours before, at 11:55 pm, a man in his sixties sustained extensive injuries.

The incident is being investigated by the White Rock RCMP and IHIT is investigating if there’s a link between the two assaults.

“We’re working to determine what lead to the injuries sustained in White Rock,” says Jang. “There will be a focused effort to determine if there was a link between the incidents. We know there are people with information about what happened to Paulie; we’re urging them to come forward.”

Police say that in order to ensure the safety of the White Rock community, more uniformed members will be visible in the area.

As IHIT continues their investigation, anyone with information is asked to contact 1-8777-551-4448 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.