A man stabbed outside a Vancouver Starbucks on Sunday evening has died, and his alleged assailant has been charged with murder, Vancouver police say.
Paul Stanley Schmidt, 37, was stabbed outside the café at the corner of Granville and West Pender streets around 5:40 p.m. following a “brief altercation,” according to police.
Schmidt was rushed to hospital, where he later died.
The suspect, 32-year-old Inderdeep Singh Gosal, was arrested at the scene, and has since been charged with second-degree murder.
Schmidt’s mother, Kathy, told Global News he was at Starbucks with his wife and his young daughter.
“Paul lived for his wife and his daughter… that was his whole life,” Kathy told Global News over the phone.
“This man has ruined so many lives”
A GoFundMe has now been set up for Schmidt’s family.
Vancouver police spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said police are appealing for more witnesses and video to help them determine a motive in the killing.
“There’s a significant amount of evidence to tell us what happened. What we are focusing on now is why did this happen. What are the events that transpired in the moments leading up to this very serious crime … and that’s something that may take some time for us to fully understand,” he said.
“We believe there are people likely nearby, people who witnessed it, people who were in the area who can help us to understand those questions.”
Court records show no previous B.C. criminal record for Gosal. The killing is Vancouver’s sixth homicide of 2023.
Alex Bodger witnessed the incident and told Global News Monday that it was very traumatizing to see and hear.
“It’s not something you think you would see walking down the street in Vancouver on a Sunday,” he said.
Bodger said the suspect went back into the Starbucks after the stabbing and all he could hear was people screaming.
“Every time I think about the situation I get this feeling in my chest which is pure fear,” he added.
Police don’t believe the two men knew each other, and Addison said the circumstances leading up to the stabbing remain under investigation.
He added that there is a video of the incident circulating on social media, and appealed to the public not to share it further.
“It’s graphic video. We are encouraging people not to share that video. We are encouraging people, if you’ve got video, if you are a bystander, if you are a witness, please come forward and speak to our investigators, provide it to our investigators,” he said.
“Please don’t share it on social media. What you have could be important evidence in this very serious case.”
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim called the incident awful and tragic, adding that no one should have to feel unsafe walking around the city.
“It’s a senseless act and its absolutely terrible,” he told Global News.
“Our hearts and our thoughts go out to Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Schmidt’s family, everyone who loves him.”
The Starbucks store did not open for business Monday morning.
In a statement, the company said it would support authorities with whatever they needed in the investigation.
“This is a tragic situation and our hearts are with all those involved and affected by this incident. We are thankful our partners (employees) are safe and our focus is on supporting them,” Starbucks Canada spokesperson Leanna Rizzi said.
“Partners have been offered support through our LifeWorks Employee Assistance Program to assist them through this difficult time. I do not have information to share at this time regarding when the store will reopen.”
Anyone with information or anyone needing support is asked to contact Vancouver police at 604-717-2500.