Surrey RCMP's Serious Crimes Unit is investigating the stabbing of an 18-year-old who was apparently attacked for trying to break up a fight at a house party.
According to the victim's uncle, Kody Butchko was stabbed in the chest and abdomen when he tried to intervene, then seven more times in the back when he bent down to pick up his shoes and leave.
Outside the home, located in the 6100-block of 133 Street, the teen was beaten, kicked and robbed before managing to flee the area.
Found in the 6200-block of 132A Street by a passerby who heard him calling for help, Butchko was "a road map of slashes and stabs," said Don Pitcairn, a South Surrey resident who made headlines last year for producing shirts and sweaters 'celebrating' Surrey's reputation as a centre of gang- and gun-related violence.
Pitcairn said he spent Sunday plastering the Newton neighbourhood with 'Wanted' posters in the hopes they would help bring the perpetrators – described only as four Caucasian males – to justice.
"I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that somebody's held responsible for this," he said. "I want to see them in court, I want to see them in jail."
Cpl. Bert Paquet said Monday that no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but police have identified a "subject of interest." As well, officers have spoken to 20 witnesses so far.
"There's still a lot of questions that are not answered," he said.
Paquet described Butchko as lucky, "considering the seriousness of the assault."
"This attack could've been fatal."
Pitcairn noted this is the second time in a year that his nephew has been the victim of violence in Surrey. Last May, he was among three youth who were swarmed and robbed as they walked along Crescent Road. One of the assailants produced a machete.
Anyone with information on the latest attack is asked to contact police at 604-599-0502.