Skip to Main content

10.65°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jan 4, 2020 11:44 PM - Pervez Sandhu - Connect News

Murder Charge Laid After Deadly Altercation in Surrey Strip Mall Parking Lot

Share On

A 33-year-old Surrey man has been charged with second-degree murder following a fatal altercation in a strip mall parking lot, raising fresh concerns about late-night safety in commercial areas of the city.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed Friday that Michael Petronio faces the charge after a confrontation early Thursday morning left 39-year-old Jason Wells dead.

Police say several bystanders not only witnessed the altercation but one followed the suspect and provided information that led to a quick arrest. Const. Harrison Mohr of IHIT noted that local business owners also supplied surveillance footage critical to the investigation.

“We were able to make progress quickly because community members stepped forward,” Mohr said. “Their cooperation shows how important public involvement is in keeping our neighbourhoods safe.”

Police said in an earlier statement that many people witnessed the altercation and one of those individuals followed the suspect, helping with a quick arrest.

At the nearby strip mall, several shopkeepers told Connect News Team that incidents of late-night violence have created unease for workers.

Latest news

Whitecaps prepare for first MLS conference final against Inter Miami

The Vancouver Whitecaps are in Florida as the club gets ready for a historic appearance in the Major League Soccer conference final. The matchup against Inter Miami marks the first time Vancouver has advanced this far in the league’s post-season structure. The Whitecaps face one of the highest profile opponents in MLS, with global star Lionel Messi leading Miami’s attack. Vancouver players say the spotlight does not change their focus. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter told reporters he believes the team has the confidence and structure needed to compete for a place in the league championship

B.C. adds jobs in November as province faces pressure from U.S. tariffs, new labour data shows

British Columbia recorded a modest increase in employment last month as new federal labour data pointed to steady economic conditions despite ongoing uncertainty in sectors such as forestry. The provincial government highlighted the gains on Friday after Statistics Canada released its Labour Force Survey for November. According to the survey, B.C. added 6,200 jobs in November and has gained more than 40,000 positions over the past year, led by manufacturing and construction. The province’s unemployment rate edged down to 6.4 percent, slightly below the national rate of 6.5 percent. Statistic

CanadaDec 05, 2025

Carney meets Trump and Sheinbaum in rare joint appearance at FIFA World Cup final draw

Prime Minister Mark Carney joined U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum today at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington for the final draw of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time the three leaders have appeared together since tensions rose over Trump’s recent trade actions. Carney entered a private viewing box reserved for the Canadian delegation shortly before the draw began. The box was located beside the American section, allowing for a brief exchange between the prime minister and President Trump. Earlier in the afternoon, Carney held a short me

teen-charged-in-connection-with-overdose-deaths-on-tsuutina-nation

AlbertaDec 05, 2025

Teen charged in connection with overdose deaths on Tsuut’ina Nation

Calgary police say a 17-year-old has been charged following two fatal overdoses on the neighbouring Tsuut’ina Nation earlier this summer, an incident that has renewed concerns about youth involvement in the province’s illicit drug trade. Investigators allege the teen had been selling cocaine, including during school lunch hours. Officers executed a search warrant at a Calgary residence as part of the investigation. Police say they seized several items, including cellphones, cash, digital scales, bear spray and quantities of cocaine and methamphetamines. Authorities note that Alberta contin

pedestrian-dies-after-early-morning-collision-with-pickup-truck-in-abbotsford

Pedestrian dies after early morning collision with pickup truck in Abbotsford

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a pickup truck early Friday morning in Abbotsford, in an area police say is known for limited street lighting. Abbotsford police report the collision occurred around 5:30 a.m. on McCallum Road, just south of Busby Road and north of the Trans Canada Highway. First responders found the pedestrian with life-threatening injuries, and the individual was later pronounced dead in hospital. Investigators say the driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and has been cooperating with officers. Early findings suggest that both the low lighting conditions a

Related News

Whitecaps prepare for first MLS conference final against Inter Miami

Whitecaps prepare for first MLS conference final against Inter Miami

The Vancouver Whitecaps are in Florida as the club gets ready for a historic appearance in the Major League Soccer conference final. The matchup against Inter Miami marks the first time Vancouver has advanced this far in the league’s post-season structure. The Whitecaps face one of the highest profile opponents in MLS, with global star Lionel Messi leading Miami’s attack. Vancouver players say the spotlight does not change their focus. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter told reporters he believes the team has the confidence and structure needed to compete for a place in the league championship

B.C. adds jobs in November as province faces pressure from U.S. tariffs, new labour data shows

B.C. adds jobs in November as province faces pressure from U.S. tariffs, new labour data shows

British Columbia recorded a modest increase in employment last month as new federal labour data pointed to steady economic conditions despite ongoing uncertainty in sectors such as forestry. The provincial government highlighted the gains on Friday after Statistics Canada released its Labour Force Survey for November. According to the survey, B.C. added 6,200 jobs in November and has gained more than 40,000 positions over the past year, led by manufacturing and construction. The province’s unemployment rate edged down to 6.4 percent, slightly below the national rate of 6.5 percent. Statistic

Pedestrian dies after early morning collision with pickup truck in Abbotsford

Pedestrian dies after early morning collision with pickup truck in Abbotsford

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a pickup truck early Friday morning in Abbotsford, in an area police say is known for limited street lighting. Abbotsford police report the collision occurred around 5:30 a.m. on McCallum Road, just south of Busby Road and north of the Trans Canada Highway. First responders found the pedestrian with life-threatening injuries, and the individual was later pronounced dead in hospital. Investigators say the driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and has been cooperating with officers. Early findings suggest that both the low lighting conditions a

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital