Vancouver man dies in city’s 19th homicide of the year following random stabbing

There has been another homicide in Vancouver, police confirmed Wednesday.

Alex Gortmaker, a 72-year-old man, was stabbed at the Biltmore Hotel near Kingsway and East 12 Avenue around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said it appeared the stabbing was random.

“Investigators believe there is no relationship between the victim and suspect,” Const. Tania Visintin, VPD, said in a release. “This is an unfortunate case where the victim and suspect had an altercation that tragically resulted in Mr. Gortmaker getting stabbed.”

Gortmaker died at the scene.

Police confirmed a 27-year-old man has been arrested and remains in custody.

This is Vancouver’s 19th homicide of the year.

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Anyone with information is asked to call VPD Homicide detectives at 604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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Last Friday, a 19-year-old man was shot dead in the city’s 18th homicide of the year.

The victim, who was found with gunshot wounds in the area of East 5th Avenue and Cassiar Street, has been identified as local resident Amar Najat Jalal.

Paramedics and firefighters were unable to revive him.

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