1 dead, 3 sent to hospital after stabbing at Kamloops house party

A man is dead and three more were sent to hospital after a stabbing at a Kamloops apartment complex late Saturday night.

Kamloops RCMP say they were called to the complex on Carson Crescent just after 11:30 p.m., where they found four people had been stabbed during a house party in one of the apartments.

A 59-year-old man died at the scene, police confirmed. Another victim, a 21-year-old man, suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The other two men, aged 58 and 62, are in hospital in life-threatening condition.

RCMP say a 43-year-old man was arrested around 1 a.m. Sunday in connection to the stabbing.

The Kamloops Serious Crime Unit has taken over the investigation, which has so far determined the alleged suspect and victims knew each other.

“We are at the early stage of this investigation and there is very little reliable information that we can provide to the public at this time,” Staff Sgt. Simon Pillay said in a statement.

“Based on our current understanding of this incident, there is no danger to the public.”

Pillay later added that while there were less than 50 people inside the party at the time, “obviously physical distancing and self-isolation were not being practiced.”

The provincial health officer has ordered a cap on public gatherings at no more than 50 people amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, and has urged people to avoid parties and other social functions in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.

The B.C. government has approved the issuing of fines and other penalties to people or businesses that violate any measure meant to keep people at least two metres apart.

Pillay said the case remains a murder investigation, adding RCMP are not responsible with enforcing the province’s orders.

Anyone with information helpful to the investigation is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP.

3:19 RCMP announce arrest in Kamloops cold case