UPDATE Monday –
B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating the death of a Kamloops man on Saturday.
The Independent Investigations Office says police were called by a woman on Friday, Just 31, after she was concerned about the mental health of a male relative. They say officers went to man’s home, but they were not able to find him.
The next day, police were called to a neighbouring house, where another man – Paul Whitten – was found with stab wounds. He later died in hospital.
Police say the man – Jason Holm – whose relative had called police the day before was arrested, and later charged with second degree murder.
Anyone with information surrounding the RCMP’s lack of success in finding Holm on Friday before the August 1 stabbing is asked to contact the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
UPDATE Sunday –
Kamloops RCMP say Jason Michael Holm has been charged with one count of second degree murder after a 39-year-old Kamloops man, Paul Whitten died of his injuries after being stabbed in a house on Clarke Street on Saturday morning.
Police say the incident is not connected to organized crime or the drug trade, and the two men were known to each other.
“Although charges have been laid, this investigation is not over. We are asking for anyone who saw Mr. Holm in the downtown area of Kamloops on Saturday August 1, 2020 to please contact the RCMP,” Staff Sgt Simon Pillay said, in a statement. “He may have been walking in the downtown core anytime between 6:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.”
Police note Holm stands about six-foot-three, and weighs about 250 pounds. He has very noticeable teardrop tattoos on his face as well as neck tattoo of a red colour “Cobra” emblem.
ORIGINAL – A 37-year-old man is in custody after a 39-year-old man was stabbed to death in Kamloops, on Saturday morning.
Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Simon Pillay says a 911 call led police to a house on Clarke Street, not far from Royal Inland Hospital, at 10:34 a.m.
He says the victim, was taken to the hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries.
A suspect was arrested nearly four hours later, around 2:00 p.m..
Pillay did say the alleged suspect and victim are known to each other, though a motive for the stabbing wasn’t immediately clear.
“There is currently very little information that can be provided to the public at this time, however based on our current understanding of this incident there is no danger to the public,” he said.
“The Kamloops RCMP Serious Crime Unit has taken over this case and are at the early stages of this investigation.”
