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Charges against two from 'senseless' New West staircase stabbing

Two teens are facing charges that include assault from the incident by Westminster Pier Park, thanks to a eyewitness that flagged police.
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
newweststabbing
The New Westminster Police Department responded to a stabbing near Westminster Pier Park on July 30, 2024.Shane MacKichan

New Westminster police (NWPD) have charged two teenagers from a summer stabbing that sent a man to hospital with "major abdominal trauma."

John Baptiste, 18, and Daniel Keewatin, 19, were arrested last Thursday, Aug. 29, in connection to the July 30 incident by the staircase at Westminster Pier Park.

Police are commending the bystander that initially flagged officers about the victim suffering from a significant stab wound and are encouraging other residents who see anyone in distress "to do the same."

“A man was seriously hurt in a senseless and unprovoked attack by a stranger,” said NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Andrew Leaver in a release today, Sept. 5.

“Our officers have worked tirelessly to gather evidence and identify those responsible. We are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that those involved face their day in court.”

The incident took place around 10 p.m. on July 30 near the staircase from the Front Street parkade leading into Westminster Pier Park. 

First responders provided emergency care to the victim before transporting them to hospital.

Police with the NWPD's Major Crime Unit, who took lead on the case, then appealed for witnesses to come forward with statements and video footage.

Baptiste, of Surrey, who remains in custody, has been approved the following charges:

  • Aggravated Assault contrary to Section 268(2) of the Criminal Code
  • Assault with a Weapon contrary to Section 267(a) of the Criminal Code

Keewatin, a Langley resident, was released with numerous conditions and a charge of assault causing bodily harm has been approved.

In an earlier release, NWPD believed two women were also seen with the suspects, but information about anyone else's involvement was not mentioned in today's update.

Local officers were also joined throughout the case by the street crime, crime reduction and forensic identification units, as well as the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services and Metro Vancouver Transit Police.

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