A Coquitlam man that succumbed to injuries in hospital nearly two weeks after a targeted stabbing was a single dad.
Terry Miller was identified as the victim of the Feb. 10 attack on Schoolhouse Street. He died on Tuesday (Feb. 22).
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken lead on the case in an effort to connect the dots of what led to the incident, which the special B.C. police division believes is not linked to Lower Mainland gang conflict.
A fundraising campaign — with a goal of $20,000 — has since been published for the 66-year-old's two sons: Tyler, aged 20, and Mathew, 18.
According to organizer Alishia Barry, the two relied on Miller's income for important expenses.
Now, in addition to dealing with the loss of their father, Barry says Tyler and Mathew are dealing with financial and emotional costs.
"They will have to pay all the bills, rent, moving expenses, travel expenses, and the costs around a service for their father," she explains.
OLDER SON ALSO ALLEGEDLY STABBED
In the GoFundMe page's description, Tyler was the alleged second stabbing victim IHIT reported in its update on Thursday (Feb. 24).
Despite suffering from injuries himself, of which police say he's recovering from, Barry explains Tyler jumped into action in trying to save his dad's life by applying pressure to the stab wounds before paramedics arrived on scene.
"As a parent, I cannot even imagine any child going through what these boys are left to deal with," she adds, noting Miller and his sons were very close.
"They are losing their parent, the person who they counted on and relied on.
"These boys now have to go the rest of their lives without him and are in shock. They will undoubtedly require some therapy and care in helping to cope with the aftermath of a attack like this."
WITNESSES STILL SOUGHT
The stabbing report was called in to RCMP around 8:15 p.m. the night of Feb. 10 in the area of 228 Schoolhouse St. — a strip mall just north of Lougheed Highway.
IHIT spokesperson Sgt. David Lee says witnesses are still being sought from the attack and some are being re-interviewed as investigators are looking to construct a "timeline of events."
Barry is also urging the public to call police if they have any information.
"Please help these boys have some time to grieve and deal with all the impacts this horrible tragedy has put upon them without all the financial worry."
IHIT is also seeking potential video footage of the incident, specifically anyone who was in the area of Brunette Avenue and Lougheed Highway between 8 and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 10.
Anyone with more information and/or dash-cam video of the attack is encouraged to call IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or email [email protected].
You can click here if you wish to make a contribution to the GoFundMe campaign.
