Everything About Inderdeep Singh Gosal, Murder Suspect Arrested In Vancouver

Apart from his name and age, we don’t know much about the Indian suspect.

One thing we know for sure is that he was allegedly involved with the Khalistani movement. The man was seen in their rally in Canada before the incident. 

Khalistan is a term used to refer to a proposed independent Sikh state in the northern region of Punjab, which is currently part of India. The demand for Khalistan emerged in the 1940s and gained significant momentum during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly due to political and social issues within Punjab and broader Sikh grievances.

In Canada, there is a Sikh diaspora community, and some members of this community have been involved in advocating for Khalistan.

The involvement of some Sikhs in Canada in Khalistan-related activities has been a source of controversy and has raised concerns for both Indian and Canadian authorities.

These activities can include holding rallies, organizing events, and advocating for Khalistan, which has sometimes led to tensions between the Sikh community and other groups or governments.

What Happened?

On the day of the inciden, March 26, 2023t, Gosal visited a Starbucks situated near the intersection of West Pender and Granville streets. During his visit, a "brief altercation" unfolded between him and a coffee shop employee. 

Eventually, this altercation escalated, resulting in Gosal allegedly stabbing the employee at approximately 5:40 pm just outside the establishment.

The sequence of events is as follows, according to the police:

37-year-old Paul Schmidt approached Gosal, who was using a vape, and politely requested him not to vape around his daughter.

An argument ensued between Schmidt and Gosal, with Gosal instructing Schmidt to give his child to his wife.

Schmidt complied with Gosal's request, handing over his daughter to his wife.

However, the situation escalated further, leading to a physical altercation between the two men.

During the altercation, Gosal brought out a knife and began to stab Schmidt multiple times in the abdomen.

As Schmidt staggered and fell to the ground, bleeding from his wounds, Gosal verbally insulted him, using derogatory language.

A pedestrian named Alex Bodger, witnessing the incident, began filming it. He captured Gosal's insults and Schmidt's condition as he fell on the ground.

Bystanders alerted a patrolling police officer to the stabbing, leading to the immediate arrest of the suspect at the scene.

“A Senseless Act Of Violence”

The local law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation have stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest any prior acquaintance between the suspect and the victim.

The victim's wife and young daughter were in close proximity when Gosal allegedly committed the act of violence, described as "senseless" by the police. Following the incident, the victim was rushed to the hospital, where he passed away.

Kathy Schmidt, the victim's mother, expressed great grief and called for justice. She emphasized the meaninglessness of the altercation leading to a tragic murder, resulting in the loss of her son's life.

Vancouver police are now appealing for additional witnesses and video evidence to assist in determining the motive behind this tragic killing.

Sgt. Steve Addison, a spokesperson for the Vancouver police, said they were investigating for further details.

The BC Prosecution Service has confirmed that a preliminary inquiry is scheduled for April 22, 2024, preceded by a pre-trial conference in March of the same year.

Gosal was apprehended at the scene and formally charged the following day..

After Schmidt's tragic demise, distressing videos depicting the incident circulated on social media platforms, leading the victim's family to appeal for the public not to share these graphic images.

Gosal now remains in custody at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam after being denied bail on March 27.

Inderdeep Singh Gosal’s case remains one of the most tragic murder in Vancouver this year. His heinous act led to the victim’s family grief and caused outrage for the community. People are hoping that the suspect will pay full price in his upcoming court trial.