Skip to Main content

11.07°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports 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

Surrey Municipal Elections See 30% Surge in First-Day Advance Voting

Voters showed strong enthusiasm on the first day of advance voting in Surrey’s municipal elections, with 10,618 people casting their ballots on Wednesday, October 7. The turnout was nearly 30% higher than the 8,159 votes recorded on the first day of advance voting during the 2022 municipal elections. According to election officials, five ballots were issued but were not deposited in the ballot boxes. Among the polling locations, Cloverdale Recreation Centre recorded the highest turnout, with 1,949 votes cast. Fleetwood Community Centre followed with 1,547 votes, while 1,370 people voted at S

77-year-old-woman-assaulted-in-vancouvers-fairview-neighbourhood

77-Year-Old Woman Assaulted in Vancouver’s Fairview Neighbourhood

A 77-year-old woman was assaulted by a suspect in Vancouver’s Fairview neighbourhood on Monday evening, police said. The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. near Cambie Street and West Broadway. The woman was walking when a young man approaching from the opposite direction allegedly forcefully shoulder-checked her, knocking her to the ground. The suspect fled the scene following the assault. An eyewitness immediately called police and stayed with the victim until officers arrived. The woman suffered a cut to her head and was taken to hospital for treatment. According to police, the suspect

CanadaOct 13, 2026

Canadian Cybersecurity Expert Edward Dubrovsky Arrested by FBI Over Alleged ShinyHunters Ties

Canadian cybersecurity expert and ransomware negotiator Edward Dubrovsky has been arrested by the FBI over alleged links to a hacking group. The FBI alleges that 54-year-old Dubrovsky was involved with ShinyHunters, a hacking group accused of carrying out dozens of data thefts since 2019, including an alleged breach of the FBI’s database earlier this year. According to reports, Dubrovsky faces two serious charges. The first involves conspiracy to threaten damage to information with the intent to extort, while the second relates to interfering with commercial activities through threats. The c

CanadaOct 13, 2026

Canada, France, UK and Australia Urge Palestinian Authority to Reverse Election Delay

Canada, along with France, the United Kingdom and Australia, has expressed deep regret over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to postpone elections and called on the Palestinian Authority to reverse the move. Last year, the four countries recognized Palestine as a state, subject to several conditions, including holding elections. The elections were scheduled for November this year but have now been postponed until September 2027. In a joint statement, the four countries urged the Palestinian Authority to reconsider its decision. President Abbas cited security conditions in Israe

IndiaOct 13, 2026

Punjab Bandh Called for October 15 Over Killing of Anti-Drug Activist Parminder Singh

Punjab is witnessing widespread anger among the family members and supporters of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh, who was shot dead in broad daylight in Mansa on Tuesday. A Punjab bandh has been called for October 15 to protest the killing. The activist’s supporters have alleged a nexus between drug traffickers and the police in Punjab and demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state’s Director General of Police (DGP). Meanwhile, the Congress has accused AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal of running a drug nexus in Punjab, while the BJP has urged the Governor to orde

Related News

Surrey Municipal Elections See 30% Surge in First-Day Advance Voting

Surrey Municipal Elections See 30% Surge in First-Day Advance Voting

Voters showed strong enthusiasm on the first day of advance voting in Surrey’s municipal elections, with 10,618 people casting their ballots on Wednesday, October 7. The turnout was nearly 30% higher than the 8,159 votes recorded on the first day of advance voting during the 2022 municipal elections. According to election officials, five ballots were issued but were not deposited in the ballot boxes. Among the polling locations, Cloverdale Recreation Centre recorded the highest turnout, with 1,949 votes cast. Fleetwood Community Centre followed with 1,547 votes, while 1,370 people voted at S

77-Year-Old Woman Assaulted in Vancouver’s Fairview Neighbourhood

77-Year-Old Woman Assaulted in Vancouver’s Fairview Neighbourhood

A 77-year-old woman was assaulted by a suspect in Vancouver’s Fairview neighbourhood on Monday evening, police said. The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. near Cambie Street and West Broadway. The woman was walking when a young man approaching from the opposite direction allegedly forcefully shoulder-checked her, knocking her to the ground. The suspect fled the scene following the assault. An eyewitness immediately called police and stayed with the victim until officers arrived. The woman suffered a cut to her head and was taken to hospital for treatment. According to police, the suspect

David Eby Announces Three Women’s Health Initiatives in B.C.

David Eby Announces Three Women’s Health Initiatives in B.C.

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby announced three women’s health initiatives during a campaign event in Vancouver on Tuesday, including a commitment to establish a perinatal mental health unit at BC Women’s Hospital. The proposed unit would provide specialized care for women experiencing mental health challenges and depression during pregnancy and after childbirth. Eby also promised to improve access to menopause-related medical services and introduce a province-wide women’s health strategy. However, Eby faced questions during the news conference about the childcare subsidy controversy. He did n

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital