ISIS-Inspired Surrey Slasher Could Evade Liability with Mental Disorder Defense

On April 1, 2023, Abdul Aziz Kawam, then 30, carried out two violent knife attacks in Surrey, British Columbia, leading to a terrorism conviction. The first assault occurred at a bus stop near Fraser Highway and 156th Street, where Kawam approached a man, asked if he was Muslim, and, upon hearing "no," prayed briefly before attempting to slash the man’s throat. The victim escaped unharmed after pushing Kawam away and called 911. Approximately 13 minutes later, Kawam boarded a Route 503 Coast Mountain bus and, without provocation, slashed another passenger’s throat three times, intending to kill. The victim, despite severe injuries, managed to push Kawam off the bus and survived, though the knife nicked his vocal cords, narrowly missing a major artery.

Security footage captured the bus attack, showing Kawam and the victim standing silently near the rear exit before the sudden assault. Kawam, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, called 911 himself, claiming the attack was “on behalf of the Islamic State” and urging non-Muslims to convert or pay a tax. His phone contained Islamic State propaganda, including a pledge video recorded 10 days prior, where he discussed a Ramadan “operation.” The attack method—slashing throats—mirrored the group’s execution style.

Kawam was arrested after an RCMP officer, responding to the first victim’s 911 call, found him holding the knife. He faced four terrorism-related charges, including attempted murder and assault with a weapon. On June 30, 2025, Justice Miriam Gropper convicted him of attempted murder and assault with a weapon for the benefit of a terrorist group. Two charges were stayed. The defense conceded the terrorism elements but raised the possibility of a not criminally responsible verdict due to mental disorder, though this was not pursued at the time. Kawam remains in custody, with sentencing scheduled for December 2025. Both victims survived, with the bus victim expected to fully recover despite initial life-threatening injuries.