VPD confirms murder of teen boy following violent altercation near Robson Square
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has confirmed the murder of a 15-year-old boy following a violent altercation near Robson Square over the weekend.
VPD believe the victim, a resident of Surrey, was stabbed just before 11:40 p.m. on Saturday, near the Vancouver Law Courts at Smithe and Hornby.
First responders and officers responded to the incident after a passerby called 9-1-1. The injured teen was located on Hornby Street, and authorities provided emergency first aid. The victim died in hospital early Sunday morning.
No arrests have been made, and police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
“Vancouver Police investigators have been working non-stop to secure evidence, identify witnesses, and find the person, or people, responsible for this murder,” said VPD Sgt. Steve Addison in the release.
“There may be people in the community who have knowledge or information that will solve this crime, and we’re asking them to come forward.”
Addison also appeared at a VPD press conference on Monday afternoon but was unable to reveal many details about the ongoing investigation.
He did not confirm whether VPD had identified any suspect or suspects. He also noted that the altercation that happened prior to the homicide took place in the same area around Robson Square.
He noted that VPD is working to answer whether the teen was alone or with others at the time of the incident.
VPD is reviewing CCTV footage around the area at the time the stabbing occurred.
Police tape appeared to be cleared from Robson Square on Monday afternoon. (Daily Hive Staff)
Investigators have been collecting evidence from the crime scene, but on Monday afternoon, it appeared that the area around Robson Square had been cleared of police tape.
Anyone with information, or with dash-cam footage of the area bounded by Georgia Street (north), Smithe Street (south), Howe Street (east), and Hornby Street (west) between 11:30 and 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, is asked to call the Vancouver Police Homicide tip line at 604-717-2500.
VPD has not released the name of the victim at this time.
This comes after another violent crime in the city over the weekend, as a 22-year-old man suffered from life-threatening injuries after being stabbed on a bus in Kitsilano early Sunday morning. A 28-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with that incident.