Help needed to identify Canada Day homicide victim in Kelowna

UPDATE: Transit drivers said police had cordoned off a large section of Queensway Avenue, close to Water Street — only metres from Kelowna City Hall. The police tape has since been removed. Transit drivers tell Global News they believe the victim was stabbed.

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran said “We were deeply concerned to hear about the serious event that occurred downtown last night. Our hearts go out to the victim and their family.”

“We have been informed that it is considered an isolated event, with no further risk to the general public. Community safety is a priority to Council both downtown and throughout the community and the City will be supporting the RCMP investigation as needed. The RCMP will be responsible for releasing any further information on the incident as it becomes available.”

Original story: 

The Kelowna RCMP Serious Crime Unit is asking for the public’s help to identify a man who was the victim of a Canada Day homicide in Kelowna.

Police say the man was fatally injured during an altercation near the Queensway Bus Loop on July 1 in the late evening hours.

Police were called to the loop at 10:50 p.m. where they found the man on the ground with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital where he died from his injuries.

“Kelowna RCMP are looking to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of City Hall on Queensway across from O’Flannigan’s Liquor Store between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.,” said Const. Lesley Smith of the Kelowna RCMP in a release.

“The identify of the male victim is still unknown and we are hoping to locate a friend or family member who will notify the RCMP should they recognize the following description”.

The homicide victim is described as being a “non-white male in his 30’s, approximately 5-feet-11-inches tall, 150 pounds with long brown hair, long facial hair and brown eyes.

“This is a tragic incident and is absolutely heartbreaking to hear about,” Scott Lovell of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1722 said in a text to Global Okanagan on Monday.

“The safety at the Queensway transit exchange is an ongoing concern. The transit supervisors are regularly contacted to attend issues on buses at that bus loop. The area seems to have become a refuge for some of the marginalized people in our community. The city services has had security contracted there for many years. Maybe the security does not go far enough? Maybe we need community services to help in this area? Maybe the RCMP need a presence there?”

“Either way, something has to change especially now that a death has occurred. I have never been in fear of this area and my children take city buses. We will be watching this investigation closely.”

The man was wearing black jeans, a rope belt and black shoes with white soles. The victim also had several tattoos on his upper body, noticeably a large colourful tattoo on his side.

If you recognize this description, contact the Kelowna RCMP Serious Crime Unite at (250) 762-3300.

For those who wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or text the tip to CRIMES (274637).