A 39-year-old Maple Ridge man has been charged with a stabbing almost that occurred six years ago at the Coquitlam Central Station bus loop that left a man in critical condition.
Tyrel William Scott will face one count of aggravated assault stemming from the incident, along with more than a dozen additional weapons charges resulting from the stabbing investigation.
"We don't forget when something is this serious," said Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin. "We are constantly trying to solve these cases."
The stabbing occurred early on Dec. 15, 2011, when a 19-year-old Maple Ridge man was attacked by another man with a knife shortly after midnight. The victim sustained multiple stab wounds, including one that pierced his heart, before being rushed to hospital.
The suspect fled, running through the parking lot and past the A&W at the nearby Pinetree Village shopping plaza toward Westwood Street, where he is believed to have left behind a hoodie.
Two months after the incident, police held a press conference where they showed off the clothing and some surveillance photos of a suspect. While the appeal to the public turned up some leads, McLaughlin said new evidence was recently uncovered that led investigators to recommend charges to the Crown.
"I can't get into it in great detail," McLaughlin said, "but it was only recently that the investigation bore fruit to the point where we had what we believe was a strong case."
He added that as investigators pursued the assault investigation, they turned up evidence of other crimes. On top of the aggravated assault charge, Scott, a 39-year-old who is well known to police, is also facing five counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited, four counts of possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm without a licence and two counts of possession of weapon.
"That was a big reason why it took so long," McLaughlin said. "It became more complicated. As we investigated the original assault, we uncovered evidence that other crimes were committed."
Still, a motive for the stabbing continues to elude police, McLaughlin said.
"Our investigation hasn't shown any particular reason why the victim was targeted," he said. "As far as we can tell, the victim was truly a victim."
Scott is currently in custody and expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
gmckenna@tricitynews.com
@gmckennaTC
