POLICE – 32-year-old man charged with second-degree murder in stabbing

A 32-year-old Kamloops resident has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a man at the Acadian Motor Inn early Saturday.

James Dylan Sanford has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court Monday.

At 6:36 a.m. Saturday RCMP were called to a report of a stabbing near the 1300 block Columbia Street. The 33-year-old victim later died and  RCMP are investigating the death as a homicide. The Kamloops Serious Crimes Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation.

The stabbing reportedly followed an altercation in the parking lot of the motor inn.

Police haven’t revealed the identity of the victim, as notifications of next of kin are still ongoing.

In an unrelated investigation, Sanford is also charged with two counts of S. 5(1) CDSA – trafficking in a controlled substance (heroin / fentanyl) which are going to a preliminary Inquiry in Kamloops on Oct. 6.

The victim also had criminal charges against him and was bound by release conditions that included related no-contact conditions, including not to attend the Acadian Motor Inn, the scene of the stabbing.

“This event can best be described as an ongoing conflict between associates which unfortunately culminated with a murder,” Staff Sgt. Simon Pillay said Sunday (Sept. 13, 2020).

“Although Mr. Sanford is currently under charge for drug trafficking from an unrelated investigation, we do not believe this incident is related to drug trafficking or organized crime.”

He said investigators are still working at the scene, following up tips and seeking additional witnesses.

“We believe the chain of events that led up to this murder began in the early morning hours, around 3 a.m. We request anyone who observed suspicious activity of any kind at the Acadian Motor Inn early Saturday morning to please contact the RCMP.

“Every detail helps us advance the understanding of this incident.”