The investigation into an incident that left a man badly beaten near the 22nd SkyTrain station on Tuesday night is now in the hands of the homicide police.
At about 8 p.m., New Westminster police were called to the scene at Eighth Avenue and 23rd Street after a passerby found a body of an injured man on the ground – the man was still alive, but was badly injured, according to Cpl. Dominic Duchesneau of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
Homicide investigators are now conducting the investigation and are currently questioning a suspect they brought in to custody shortly after receiving the call last night, Duchesneau said.
“There is a person that was arrested as well,” he said. “We don’t have more details at this point that we can share. … No charges at this point, we are still investigating.”
The victim is in critical condition and police do not expect he will survive his injuries, Duchesneau added.
“There’s a likelihood that that is probably what is going to happen, that the victim is going to (die),” Duchesneau said.
The victim is described as a young man, but according to Duchesneau, his name and the extent of his injuries aren’t being released at this time.
Investigators are speaking with the suspect this morning and until then police can’t say whether the attack was random or targeted, Duchesneau added.
“We’re speaking with the person that’s in custody right now,” he said. “But it’s too soon right now for me to speculate if it was random or if there was any other motive for the offence.”
Police have closed off a portion of Eighth Avenue between 21st and 24th streets while they canvass the area and photograph the scene.
Duchesneau said he expects more information to be released later today (Wednesday).
Police are asking anyone who was in the area of 23rd Street and Eighth Avenue between 7 and 8 p.m. who may have witnessed this incident to call the IHIT Tipline at 1-877-551-4448 or by email at [email protected].
If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip on their website at Solvecrime.ca.
