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Father of slain Surrey man says arrest has left him 'torn'

SOUTH SURREY - Jim Widdifield said he is pleased a murder charge has been laid in the 2013 shooting death of his son Craig, but he also expressed compassion for the accused and his family.

 

"I'm sort of torn a couple ways," the Morgan Creek resident said. "I feel another young life has been wasted - it's sort of a double-edged sword. Nobody wins when violence is involved."

 

Last week, Brody Robert Patterson, 20, was charged with first-degree murder and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said more arrests will be made in the April 24, 2013 slaying.

 

Craig Widdifield, 28, was shot multiple times outside The Shops at Morgan Crossing in South Surrey while getting into his Mercedes. Police said at the time they believed the shooting was connected to ongoing gang rivalry.

 

At Widdifield's funeral, his dad made an impassioned plea for an end to the violence that killed his son, speaking to more than 250 mourners at a South Surrey chapel.

 

"Please honour Craig by not sullying his name with more violence," he pleaded at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre. "Violence begets violence."

 

Craig Widdifield had a wife and young son.

 

His grieving dad takes some comfort in news that more arrests are expected. "They're really working on that now," he said of police.

 

As for his son's alleged killer, he said, "I hope he can be rehabilitated... and have the things my son can't do now."

 

Patterson's next court date is Dec. 10.

 

tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com



About the Author: Tom Zytaruk

I write unvarnished opinion columns and unbiased news reports for the Surrey Now-Leader.
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