British Columbia

Witnesses sought as police investigate killing of Vancouver man

Homicide investigators are asking for help as they investigate the death of a Vancouver man last week.

Jeff Strom, 64, died in hospital after attack on Thursday

Vancouver police are investigating the city's 10th homicide of the year after a man was attacked last week. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)

Vancouver police are searching for witnesses as they investigate the killing of a man in the Downtown Eastside last week.

A statement Tuesday said Jeff Strom, 64, was attacked near East Cordova and Dunlevy streets at around 5:30 p.m. PT on Thursday. He was hospitalized with serious injuries but died on Saturday.

Police said James Frederick Fierheller, who has no fixed address, was initially arrested for assault causing bodily harm, but since Strom's death, the charges have changed.

"Those charges have been updated to manslaughter," Sgt. Aaron Roed said during a news conference Tuesday.

"We believe there [are] additional witnesses to the altercation who have not yet spoken with investigators and VPD detectives. Any information that they do provide can be critical to this investigation."

Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who saw the attack or has dashcam footage from the area at the time of the attack. The intersection is at the southwest corner of Oppenheimer Park.

Anyone with information is asked to call VPD detectives at 604-717-2500, or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous.

The statement said Fierheller remains in custody. Strom's death marks Vancouver's 10th homicide of the year.