The death of a 22-year-old man after an altercation at a Burnaby Starbucks last month is being investigated as a homicide.
Burnaby RCMP responded to a report of an altercation at the Starbucks by Hastings Street and Kensington Avenue on July 12, according to a statement from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which has taken over the investigation.
At the scene, police found a man suffering injuries from the incident.
He was taken to hospital but died on July 15, when IHIT took over the case.
A small memorial outside of the Starbucks identifies the victim as Michael Page-Vincelli.
“I miss you so much,” states one unsigned card. “I’m no good at goodbyes, so I will see you later. I will see you on the other side. I love you.”
“We miss Michael so much. You’re in our heart always. We love you,” reads another card signed by “Grandfather Tony (Anthony) and Grandmother Beverly.”
A witness told the CBC an argument had started outside the Starbucks over a cigarette butt tossed from a car.
A woman had tossed the butt out of the window and Page-Vincelli had picked it up and thrown it back at her, according to the witness.
He said the woman had then gone into a nearby bank and retuned with a man, following Page-Vincelli into the coffee shop.
Other witnesses told CBC Page-Vincelli was punched and fell, hitting his head on the counter.
Starbucks staff said they couldn’t comment on the incident because of the ongoing investigation but confirmed a man had died after an altercation at the restaurant.
No charges have yet been laid in the 22-year-old’s death, according to IHIT, and the names of those involved won’t be released until charges are approved.
“IHIT investigators are diligently pursuing leads and advancing the investigation,” IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Meghan Foster said in an emailed statement.
When asked why police took more than three weeks to release any information about the incident, Foster said, “From evidence collected there were no concerns with regards to public safety, we weren't soliciting help from the public, and to release the name of the deceased did not further the investigation.”
