Surrey bus knife attack suspect sentenced to more than 16 years in prison

A man convicted of terrorism-related offences following a 2023 knife attack on a Surrey transit bus has been sentenced to a total of 16 years and eight months in prison.

On April 1, 2023, Metro Vancouver Transit Police and Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a knife attack at a Surrey bus stop. The suspect, 31-year-old Abdul Aziz Kawam, approached a man, threatened him with a knife and chased him. The victim managed to escape.

Kawam then boarded a Coast Mountain bus, where he seriously injured another person with the knife. He was pushed off the bus and reportedly stated that he had pledged allegiance to Abu Al-Hussaini Al-Quraishi, who was the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) at the time.

Police arrested Kawam while he was holding the bloodied knife. He remained in custody as the investigation, initially led by transit police, was later transferred to the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team.

On June 30, 2026, the B.C. Supreme Court found Kawam guilty of attempted murder for the benefit of, or in association with, a terrorist group, and assault with a weapon for the benefit of, or in association with, a terrorist group.

On October 29, 2026, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted murder and an additional 20 months for assault with a weapon.

At the time of sentencing, Kawam had spent three years and seven months in custody, which was credited as five years and four months.

“Incidents of this nature have a profound impact on the individuals involved and the whole community,” said Corporal Parmbir Kahlon of the Federal Policing Pacific Region.

“As the court process concludes, we hope this outcome provides a measure of reassurance to those affected and our commitment to keeping our communities safe.”