Man charged with assault in relation to White Rock stabbing

A week after two stabbings on the White Rock waterfront left one man dead, another man injured and a community on edge, a Surrey, B.C., man has been charged with aggravated assault in relation to one of the incidents.

Homicide investigators announced the charge against 27-year-old Dimitri Nelson Hyacinth, who was arrested Monday afternoon with the assistance of a team of emergency response officers.

In a news release, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said Hyacinth was arrested in relation to the fatal stabbing of Kulwinder Singh Sohi last Tuesday, but charged in connection with the stabbing of Jatinder Singh two days earlier.

Both incidents occurred along the White Rock promenade, sparking a manhunt and widespread concerns in a community known as a popular tourist attraction.

Hyacinth made a brief court appearance Tuesday afternoon. He is scheduled to be back in court on May 3.

IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Timothy Pierotti said the investigation into Sohi's death continues.

"This is a dynamic and ongoing case," Pierotti said in a news release.

"We're thankful for the collaborative work being done by the IHIT investigators along with the White Rock RCMP."

'A weapon in his hand'

Singh and his wife are new immigrants to Canada. He was stabbed in the neck while they sat on a bench near the White Rock pier. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

In an interview with CBC News, Singh's wife, Manpreet Kaur, said the incident had caused them to re-evaluate their recent entry to B.C., as she is a student and the couple now face trouble making ends meet.

She said the couple were enjoying the sunset, when someone came up from behind and hit Singh in the neck.

"At that time we didn't know that he's, like, just hit my husband's neck with a knife," Kaur said. "Then we saw that there's a weapon in his hand."

Two days after Singh was stabbed, Sohi died from apparent stab wounds after being attacked in the same rough location. He died at the scene. 

Sohi's friend and former roommate Gagan Singh, who met the 26-year-old before he immigrated to Canada, said his friend was a plumber who recently obtained his Red Seal certification.

White Rock Mayor Megan Knight said last week she was "completely shocked" to hear about the stabbings, calling the attacks "terrifying" and saying they had shaken the community.

After Sohi's death, White Rock RCMP said they were starting an "enhanced policing initiative" immediately, which normally sees extra patrols being conducted along the city's promenade every summer.

Homicide investigators are asking for information from any witnesses or anyone who may have information regarding the homicide.