Vancouver Police are confirming that last night’s suspicious death investigation in the 3400 block of Renfrew Street is Vancouver’s 6th homicide of 2012.
Shortly after 9 p.m. last night, a 9-1-1 caller reported hearing the sound of screaming coming from the rear lane of 3433 Renfrew Street. Behind the building police found a deceased man in his 50s who had apparently been stabbed multiple times.
Officers cordoned off the 3400 block of Renfrew Street while Investigators from the VPD Major Crime Section were called in and worked throughout the night identifying a person of interest in the homicide.
Shortly after 4 a.m., patrol officers found the man driving his car in the area of Boundary Road and Lougheed Highway. They followed the car to East Broadway and Nanaimo Street where they tried to pull the car over. The man refused to stop which caused a short pursuit. The car collided with a police vehicle at East Broadway and Slocan.
Following the collision, the lone occupant of the car, a 47 year old Burnaby resident, suffered minor injuries while being taken into custody.A Vancouver Police Officer was also injured in the incident and is recovering from abrasions after his air bag deployed.
The driver is in custody, facing charges in relation to the collision including dangerous driving, driving while prohibited and obstruction.
He was also arrested on an outstanding Burnaby warrant for assault. He remains a person of interest in the homicide.
At this stage of the investigation, early indications are that this was a targeted attack, no charges have been laid and the investigation continues.
The victim’s identity is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.
Vancouver Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact the Vancouver Police Homicide Unit at (604) 717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.
