An Indo-Canadian man involved in the Starbucks murder recently has been charged with murder following a stabbing outside a downtown Starbucks, and Vancouver Police are seeking additional witnesses to the crime. Inderdeep Singh Gosal, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder.  “We believe this homicide was witnessed by dozens of bystanders, and there may be people with information who have not yet come forward,” says Sergeant Steve Addison. Paul Stanley Schmidt, 37, has now been identified as the victim. He is Vancouver’s sixth homicide victim of 2023.

By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada 

VANCOUVER – An Indo-Canadian man involved in the Starbucks murder recently has been charged with murder following a stabbing outside a downtown Starbucks, and Vancouver Police are seeking additional witnesses to the crime.

Inderdeep Singh Gosal, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder.

 “We believe this homicide was witnessed by dozens of bystanders, and there may be people with information who have not yet come forward,” says Sergeant Steve Addison.

 “We particularly want to hear from anyone who was present in the moments before the stabbing, or anyone who has cell-phone video of the incident.”

Paul Stanley Schmidt, 37, has now been identified as the victim. He is Vancouver’s sixth homicide victim of 2023.

The fatal stabbing occurred around 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, following a brief altercation between two men outside the Starbucks at West Pender and Granville Street.

A VPD constable patrolling in the area was flagged down moments after the stabbing, and arrested the suspect at the crime scene. Additional VPD officers attempted to save the victim’s life by performing first aid, however he succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to hospital.

Investigators do not believe the victim and suspect knew each other, however the circumstances that led up to the fatal stabbing remain under investigation.

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 location where the incident occurred remained closed

In a statement, Starbucks 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 who has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2500.