Vancouver police seeking driver who may have witnessed fatal Chinatown stabbing in June

Vancouver police are renewing a call for information on the fatal stabbing of a Japanese citizen in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood in June.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said its officers were called just before 3:30 a.m. on June 5 to reports of a man in “medical distress” on Union Street, just west of Main Street.

First responders found that the man had been stabbed, and despite attempts to save his life, 32-year-old Wataru Kakiuchi died at the scene.

In a press release Thursday, the VPD says it’s once again appealing to the public for help with identifying a vehicle seen travelling in the area around the time of the stabbing.

CCTV footage of the street shows a darkly-coloured, SUV-sized vehicle driving down Main Street around 2:30 a.m. on June 5.

“Investigators have yet to identify the occupants of an SUV that was seen traveling through the area before the murder. Police believe the driver or passengers may have witnessed an altercation but did not come forward because they were not aware it was related to the homicide,” said Sgt. Steve Addison.

A man was arrested in relation to the homicide on June 11, and charged with second-degree murder, but police say the investigation is ongoing.

“The occupants of the car, or anyone with information, are asked to contact Vancouver Police Homicide at 604-717-2500.”