Man facing murder charges after body found in Surrey parking lot

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After a man died following an altercation in Surrey early Thursday morning, police said on Friday that one man has now been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case.

The investigation began just before 1 am, when police reported being called to a strip mall, where they found a deceased man lying in the parking lot.

Police said they managed to track the suspect with the help of a witness, and arrested him a few blocks away.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in to investigate, and late Thursday night approved the murder charge against 33-year-old Michael James Petronio.

“This success was a combined effort between the people who witnessed the altercation, the Lower Mainland Forensic Identification Services, the Surrey RCMP, and IHIT,” said IHIT Const. Harrison Mohr. “This could not have been accomplished without the cooperation of the witnesses, the expertise of the forensic specialists, and the professionalism demonstrated by Surrey RCMP officers.”

Mohr said that in order to further the investigation, IHIT has also confirmed and released the identity of the victim as 39-year-old Jason Stanley Wells.

“Our attention must turn now to the victim, his family, and his friends and associates,” said Mohr. “Our thoughts are with those who knew him, and we are asking them to come forward and talk to us.”

Anyone who knew Wells is asked call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551- IHIT (4448), or email IHIT with information.