18-year-old charged in fatal stabbing outside Surrey high school in 2022

An 18-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to the killing of a youth outside a Surrey high school in November 2022.

Mehakpreet Sethi, 18, was the victim of the fatal stabbing outside Tamanawis Secondary School in the city's Newton neighbourhood just after 12 p.m. PT on Nov. 22, 2022.

The stabbing provoked a heavy police response at the school, located at 12600 66 Avenue, because it happened on school grounds during school hours.

A year after the stabbing, an 18-year-old who police say knew the victim was charged with the crime. He cannot be named as he was a minor at the time.

"Serious incidents such as this have a profound effect on the entire community," said Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). "We'll continue to support the community and anyone affected by this senseless tragedy."

Pierotti did not disclose the exact motive for the stabbing, nor whether there was any particular evidence that led to the charges being laid, with the sergeant saying the matter is now before the courts.

He did say that the stabbing was isolated in nature and did not represent an ongoing threat to the community, and said Sethi's life was taken "far too early."

"Mr. Sethi was just 18 years old, just starting his life," Pierotti said. "He aspired to be in the army, to serve his country."

Sethi, whose family emigrated from India several years ago, was remembered in a tearful vigil following his death.