Just after noon on Tuesday, a teenager died after being stabbed at Tamanawis Secondary School.
The victim is being identified as 18-year old Mehakpreet Sethi of Surrey. A 17-year old has been identified was located and taken into custody.
Surrey RCMP responded to the report that a person had been stabbed in a school parking lot located in the 12600-block of 66 Avenue.
Police arrived within minutes and immediately began lifesaving measures. The 18-year-old victim was transported to hospital, however officers and paramedics failed to revive him and he succumbed to his injuries.
Harshpreet Sethi, Mehakpreet's father regrets moving to Canada.
"When I went to the hospital, the doctors told me that the weapon directly pierced his heart, which is why he died," Harshpreet Sethi, , told Omni Punjabi.
The family moved from Dubai to Canada eight years back. They hail from Punjab's Faridkot district, the channel reported.
"I came to Canada with the hope that my children will have a better future, they will be safe... Now I am regretting why I came to this country along with my children," Harshpreet said.
Fighting back his tears, Harshpreet told the local TV channel that the attacker could have slapped him, hit his arm or legs, instead of taking his son's life.
Police said that a fight broke out between Sethi and a 17-year-old boy that ended with the teen being stabbed.
The suspect has been taken into custody after being identified by the witnesses.
"What kind of upbringing his parents have given him (suspect)?" Harpreet asked, adding that it is not easy to bring up children for 18 years, and then lose them in an incident like this.
Mehakpreet was not a member of the school community, according to a statement released by the acting principal of Tamanawis Secondary School.
He had gone there to pick up his younger brother Bhavpreet, who studies in the eighth grade.
Mehakpreet's sister told Omni Punjabi that he had planned to buy new clothes for Bhavpreet as his birthday was afoot, which is why he went to pick him up during lunch break.
“We know there were many students in the area around the time this tragedy took place,” says Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of IHIT. “If you or one of your loved ones has information that could help shed light on why this young man was killed, please contact IHIT immediately.”
IHIT is working with the Surrey RCMP on the case.
Photo courtesy of Surrey RCMP & Twitter via @Gurpreet S Sahota.
