The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified the victim in a stabbing outside a Port Coquitlam pub Sunday afternoon as 65-year-ld Robert Harold Vidovich, a Coquitlam resident.
It's the fifth murder in the Tri-Cities so far in 2016.
Coquitlam RCMP were called when a fight started outside the Shaughnessy Square mall in the 2000-block of Lougheed Highway just after 3:15 p.m. Sunday. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from multiple stab wounds allegedly sustained during the fight, according to witnesses.
The victim was treated at the scene and taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The other man apparently fled on foot. The Lower Mainland District Police Dog Service was brought in but the suspect was not located.
The suspect described as a Caucasian man about 5'8" to 5'10" tall, weighing about 150 lb., and possibly wearing a black hoodie and pants, and carrying a backpack.
"IHIT continues to work alongside the Forensics Unit, the Coroner's Service and the Coquitlam RCMP in an effort to identify and locate the male suspect," said IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Meghan Foster in a release.
Investigators are attempting to find a motive for the killing but the investigation remains in its early stages, police said, and it's unclear if Vidovich knew his attacker.
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or via www.solvecrime.ca.
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