The police investigation into the death of a white supremacist in Surrey has taken a bizarre turn as officers worry misinformation circulating about the case could spark a gang war.

Last weekend, 26-year-old Jan Korinth died after he was stabbed during a fight in a home. A 36-year-old man was taken to hospital with head injuries, but survived.

Korinth was a member of the neo-Nazi group Blood and Honour and at one time was a firefighter for Mayne Island Fire Rescue. Now investigators are addressing reports that this was a hate crime and Korinth was targeted for his involvement in the white supremacist group.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says this is not true, and that Korinth was the instigator not the target.

"It appears at this time that Jan was attempting to get into that residence. It was not Jan's home; he did not live there. The occupant of the home sustained injuries as did Jan, he sustained knife-wound injuries," Sgt. Jennifer Pound said.

"From what we can tell, (Jan) left that area and a blood trail led police to find him close by where he was pronounced deceased at the scene," she added.

The rumours now have police warning gang violence is possible.

"Whenever we're dealing with information that could potentially cause gang retaliation, then that needs to be our number one concern, and in this case that is now our concern. But that concern based on false information that was put out to the public," Pound said.

Police say they are still investigating what led up to Korinth's death.

In December, several Vancouver members of Blood and Honour were arrested and charged. They were accused of assaulting people for the colour of their skin.

On Saturday, members of Blood and Honour staged a rally in downtown Edmonton. The Canadian Press reports that demonstrators fled only minutes after it began when more than 100 anti-racist counter-protesters showed up.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington