The victim of an early morning fatal stabbing in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood was a Japanese citizen.
The Vancouver Police Department said its officers were called just before 3:30 a.m. Wednesday after reports a man was in “medical distress” on Union Street, just west of Main Street.
First responders found that the man had been stabbed, and despite attempts to save his life, 32-year-old Wataru Kakiuchi died at the scene.
The Japanese Consulate in Vancouver tells CityNews Thursday it has been made aware of the death of one of its citizens. The consulate adds it is in contact with the VPD and has been able to make contact with the victim’s family.
In an update Thursday morning, police confirmed Kakiuchi was the victim of the fatal stabbing, and added he was a Burnaby resident.
“Investigators from VPD’s Major Crime Section and Forensic Identification Unit continue to search for and examine evidence, and ask anyone with information to come forward. Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the crime,” the VPD said.
Police say no arrests have been made in connection with the homicide.
In a statement Thursday, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim assured that the police are “working tirelessly” to bring the perpetrator to justice.
“Wataru Kakiuchi was more than a talented chef at Hapa Izakaya in Yaletown – he was a positive presence and a cherished friend to many. His contributions to our community will not be forgotten,” he said.
“This senseless act of violence has our city in shock and mourning. On behalf of the City of Vancouver, I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Kakiuchi’s family, friends, and colleagues. We stand with you in this time of sorrow and grief.”
A sign posted in the window of Hapa Izakaya Thursday said the restaurant would be closed for the evening “due to unforeseen circ*mstances.”
The business’ voicemail said the closure was due to “a tragic staff incident.”
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One of Kakiuchi’s former coworkers told CityNews he is remembered as a “really enthusiastic person — about food, about cooking, about other [people].”
The coworker, who asked to remain unnamed, said his friend was a good person with “good energy” and a special talent as a chef.
“I’m really, really sad that we can’t eat any more of the food he makes,” the coworker said.
He fondly remembered Kakiuchi’s penchant and preference for making pasta, especially for other members of restaurant staff.
The owner of Hapa Izakaya, Justin Ault, says he learned about the young man’s death Wednesday morning after another employee first called to say he was missing.
“I tried to reassure him that it was probably nothing, and it usually would be, but I said I would check up on it,” Ault told CityNews.
“I call a contact at VPD and was hoping he’d be able to just say, ‘No, it wasn’t [Kakiuchi].’ Unfortunately, he said, ‘You know what? We’re going to have to get back to you.’ And that brought the first feeling of dread for me. Then, when he let me know that a homicide detective would have to reach out, that’s when I saw the writing on the wall.”
Ault said he cannot imagine a reason why anyone would want to attack Kakiuchi.
He added that he was a great guy who was “fun and positive,” calling him a “ray of sunshine” and not the least bit aggressive.
“I can only imagine it was something random. Like whether it was an attempted robbery, or someone perceived that he looked at him the wrong way. But no, there’s no way anyone would be interested in [harming] a senior cook from a restaurant in Yaletown.”
Ault said his former employee stood out as a special and overall positive person.
“He’s one of these guys that just never seemed to have a bad day — and there can be a lot of them in a busy kitchen,” he said. “Great musician. He loved playing the guitar and loved his music — tried to get to as many concerts as he could in town here. And just a wonderful human being.”
Ault says friends of Kakiuchi may be starting a GoFundMe to give support to the victim’s mother, and possibly send a chef to Japan to speak about what he meant to people in Canada.
He said Kakiuchi’s death is part of a bigger issue of violence in Vancouver.
“I can’t imagine that the person who did this was of sound mind, whether mental issues, or addiction issues, or both. And it speaks to a much, much bigger issue that we have to deal with in the city, and hopefully it just doesn’t get forgotten,” said Ault.
“I think it’s just tragic that he lived in this city and loved it, and it’s a shame that our city ultimately killed him.”
A vigil for Kakiuchi is planned for 5 p.m.
