Charge against Surrey shooting suspect upgraded to murder

The scene of a fatal shooting in Surrey is pictured on Sunday, March 15.

Prosecutors have upgraded the charge against a man accused of a fatal shooting in Surrey earlier this week.

Abo Abdel Kurdali, 29, was charged with manslaughter on March 15, just hours after the victim was killed at a residence on Laurel Drive near 139 Street.

On Thursday, the B.C. Prosecution Service upgraded the charge against Kurdali to second-degree murder, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, which is handling the case.

Kurdali remains in custody and made an appearance in court Friday morning, IHIT said in an update Friday afternoon.

The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of March 15, and a suspect was taken into custody at the scene, according to police.

The Surrey Police Service, B.C. Coroners Service, and Integrated Forensic Identification Service all assisted with the investigation.

IHIT says police believe the killing was an isolated incident between a victim and an accused who “were known to each other.”

Investigators have not shared the name of the victim, who was also a 29-year-old man.

Kurdali’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 17 in Surrey, according to online court records.

“The upgrading of the charge in this investigation is a result of continued efforts by the investigative team and our partners,” said Sgt. Freda Fong, of IHIT, in Friday’s update.

“We continue to pursue every avenue and examine every detail to provide clarity and answers for the family. We extend our thoughts to the victim’s loved ones.”