Police have identified the victim of a June 5 early morning homicide in Chinatown as 32-year-old Wataru Kakiuchi.
Kakiuchi, a resident of Burnaby, moved to Vancouver several years ago from Japan; he was a chef at Yaletown's Hapa Izakaya.
Emergency crews were called to Union Street near Main Street around 3:30 a.m. on June 5 in response to reports of a man in medical distress. They found Kakiuchi, stabbed, at the scene.
He died before crews were able to get him to a hospital, according to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).
Hapa Izakaya has closed temporarily in the wake of Kaikiuchi.
On Thursday, Vancouver's Mayor Ken Sim issued a statement regarding the incident.
"It is with heavy hearts that we grieve the tragic loss of Wataru Kakiuchi, a 32-year-old chef and beloved member of our city," stated Sim, going on to call Kakiuchi a talented chef and positive presence.
Sim also assured the public the police are "working tirelessly to bring the person responsible for this tragedy to justice."
"The VPD has increased uniformed presence in the neighbourhood, and we urge anyone with information, including video footage from the area, to come forward and assist the investigation," states Sim.
Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the stabbing, according to the VPD.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500," state police in a press release.
