Murder charge laid after man dies in a fight in Surrey, B.C.

SURREY, B.C. – A murder charge has been laid one day after a fight left a man dead in a strip mall parking lot in Surrey, B.C.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says in a statement that a charge of second-degree murder has been laid against 33-year-old Michael Petronio.

Surrey RCMP were called to a report of an altercation early Thursday morning and officers found a man dead.

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.

Const. Harrison Mohr of the homicide team says business owners and community members provided key surveillance footage that helped in the investigation.

Police say the victim has been identified as 39-year-old Jason Wells and investigators would like to speak with anyone who had recent contact with him before he was killed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2020.