Earlier this week, a GoFundMe fundraiser page was set up to support the family of 37-year-old Paul Stanley Schmidt, who was stabbed and killed outside a downtown Vancouver Starbucks on March 26th.
The fatal stabbing occurred around 5:40 pm on Sunday, March 26th, following a brief altercation between two men outside the Starbucks at West Pender and Granville Street. The stabbing was caught on video and has been widely shared on social media despite repeated pleas from police and Paul’s family to not share the horrifying video.
An officer patrolling nearby responded to the scene and arrested the suspect. Additional VPD officers attempted to save the victim’s life by performing first aid, but he succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to hospital.
Inderdeep Singh Gosal, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder.
“We believe this homicide was witnessed by dozens of bystanders, and there may be people with information who have not yet come forward,” says Sergeant Steve Addison.
The GoFundMe campaign was launched by Vancouver’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society whose executive director is close with Paul’s cousins.
Photo credit: GoFundMe
“Thank you all so much for the outpouring of love and support. Ashley and the family are extremely grateful and touched. She has informed me that most of the funds will be for daughter in trust.”
“We are getting close to the target and it would be so amazing if we could reach our goal of $200K!! The road ahead will be very difficult and all your support will make the journey for Ashley and her daughter less challenging. Thank you all for sharing and caring!”
As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe campaign has raised over $165,000.
Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2500.