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Surrey Man Charged with Manslaughter in 2023 Death

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/1 .. man-charged-with-manslaughter-in-2023-death.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, February 10th 2026 at 16:29 GMT by Global News
      Locales: Ontario, CANADA

Surrey, B.C. - February 10th, 2026 - A Surrey man, Paul Robert Emoh, 39, has been formally charged with manslaughter in the death of Shahbaz Ahmed, a case that occurred on October 11th, 2023, and is now drawing renewed attention to the nuanced legal landscape surrounding self-defence claims in Canada. The Surrey RCMP announced the charge Monday, detailing an initial response to reports of an assault in the 10600 block of 160 Street. First responders found Ahmed with serious injuries, and despite efforts, he succumbed to those injuries in hospital.

The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) has stated that the charge of manslaughter, rather than murder or even aggravated assault, reflects the anticipated evidence that Emoh "reasonably believed he was acting in self-defence." This distinction is critical. Canadian law permits the use of force, even potentially lethal force, if a person reasonably believes they (or another person) are facing an imminent threat of death or grievous bodily harm. However, the reasonableness of that belief is a key element the courts will scrutinize.

This case isn't simply about whether Emoh used force, but why he used it, and whether that use of force was proportionate to the perceived threat. The prosecution's statement suggests they acknowledge Emoh's potential belief in self-defence, but are proceeding with a manslaughter charge, implying they believe that while a belief in self-defence existed, it might not have been fully justified in the eyes of the law - perhaps due to excessive force, a misinterpretation of the situation, or a lack of genuine imminent danger.

Legal experts indicate that a manslaughter charge in a self-defence scenario often arises when the level of force used is deemed excessive, even if the initial fear of harm was legitimate. It's a middle ground between justifiable self-defence (which would result in acquittal) and criminal culpability for an unlawful attack. The legal threshold for "reasonable belief" isn't about whether a person actually was in danger, but whether a reasonable person in the same situation, with the same knowledge, would have believed they were.

The incident has already ignited debate online, with many dissecting the potential scenarios leading up to the altercation. Social media is filled with discussions on the ambiguities of self-defence, the burden of proof, and the potential for bias in such cases. These discussions underscore a growing public interest in, and sometimes misunderstanding of, criminal justice processes.

Emoh is scheduled to appear in Surrey Provincial Court on February 22nd, 2026. The proceedings are expected to be closely watched, not only by the families involved but also by legal observers keen to see how the court interprets the concept of 'reasonable belief' in this specific context. Witness testimony, forensic evidence, and potentially video footage (if any exists) will likely play a significant role in determining the outcome.

The BCPS has a duty to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Emoh's actions, even if motivated by self-preservation, were unlawful. This involves demonstrating either that his belief in imminent danger was not reasonable, or that the force he used was disproportionate to the threat he perceived.

Global News has reached out to Ahmed's family for comment but has yet to receive a response, highlighting the sensitive and emotionally charged nature of the case. The loss of life is tragic for all involved, and the legal proceedings will undoubtedly be painful for both the Ahmed family and the Emoh family. The focus of the court will be on establishing legal responsibility, but the human cost remains undeniable.

This case serves as a potent reminder of the complexities inherent in self-defence claims and the delicate balance the legal system strives to achieve between protecting individuals from harm and ensuring accountability for their actions. It also highlights the critical role of perception and subjective belief in determining criminal liability.