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Photos: Memorial at Coquitlam school honours fatal stabbing victim

Flowers and candles were placed at a tree by Glen Elementary, and police believe the Mother's Day attack was "not random."

Coquitlam residents have started a makeshift memorial in honour of a 29-year-old man who died in a recent fatal stabbing.

And police believe the attack was "not random," and with no apparent connections to gang conflict. 

One person was arrested following the Mother's Day (May 8) incident by Glen Elementary (3064 Glen Dr.).

RCMP were called to reports of a stabbing around 12:40 a.m. that Sunday morning, and the incident appeared to have taken place on the other side of a fence behind the school.

First responders tried to revive the man, but he ultimately died of his injuries, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is now leading on the case.

Spokesperson Sgt. David Lee says the name of the victim is not being released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

Since then, a small collection of flowers and candles has been laid at the foot of a large tree outside Glen Elementary's fence off Pipeline Road in the Coquitlam City Centre neighbourhood.

School District 43 (SD43) confirmed to the Tri-City News on Monday (May 9) that operations resumed as normal for students and staff after police completed its on-site investigation.

Victim, suspect not known to each other

So, what do we know about the latest Coquitlam stabbing?

According to IHIT's initial findings, it's believed the incident started with an argument between the parties involved.

It then led to an altercation that resulted in the victim's serious injuries and eventual death.

"We are still looking to determine the extent of it, but info so far is that they were not known to each [other]," Lee explained when asked by the Tri-City News about the relationship between the victim and the suspect.

"This was an isolated incident and the Glen Elementary community is not at risk."

Lee says there's no connection to gangs stemming from investigators' early findings and police are not looking for any other suspects as "all persons" involved are accounted for.

Charges have not been considered or approved, as of this publication (May 12).

IHIT is currently working with three other teams in the investigation: Coquitlam RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Section and the BC Coroners Service.