Vancouver police investigating homicide in Downtown Eastside

Vancouver police say they are investigating a homicide in the city's Downtown Eastside after a man was believed to have been fatally stabbed.

Investigators say they were called to Gore Avenue and East Pender Street just after 1 p.m. last Wednesday, after reports of a man in medical distress. They believe he was stabbed during an altercation at East Hastings and Dunlevystreets, about two blocks away.

Police said William James Coffin, 40, died from his injuries.

Two people were arrested in relation to the incident on June 12but both have since been released from custody, they added.

VPD Sgt. Stve Addison said this marks the fifth homicide in Vancouver in 2024.

Coffin's death comes just a week afterWataru Kakiuchi, 32, was stabbed and killed in the Chinatown neighbourhood, not far from where Coffin was found.

A 32-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in Kakiuchi's death, and is scheduled to appear in court this week.