Police charge 3rd teen with murder in stabbing outside Halifax mall

Ahmad Al Marrach, who was stabbed to death on April 22, came with his family from Syria to Canada as refugees eight years ago. He was a student at Citadel High School in Halifax. (Al Marrach family image - image credit)
Ahmad Al Marrach, who was stabbed to death on April 22, came with his family from Syria to Canada as refugees eight years ago. He was a student at Citadel High School in Halifax. (Al Marrach family image - image credit)

Halifax police have charged a third teen with second-degree murder in the death of Ahmad Al Marrach, 16, who was stabbed last week in the parking lot of the Halifax Shopping Centre.

Police said Monday that a 16-year-old, who officers had arrested shortly after the killing but later released, had been arrested again.

He appeared in youth court Monday afternoon and will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance on May 13. He was ordered not to have any contact with the two other teens accused in the death.

Last week, a 14-year-old boy and girl were charged with second-degree murder. They remain in custody and are also scheduled to return to court May 13.

Officers were called to the parkade, located on Mumford Road, around 5 p.m. on April 22. Al Marrach died shortly after being rushed to hospital.

About 20 minutes later, two suspects were arrested on a Halifax Transit bus in the area of North Street, including the teen police have now charged.

Halifax Regional Police responded to a report of an injured person in the parking lot at Halifax Shopping Centre just after 5 p.m. on Monday. Upon arrival, officers located a male youth who was taken to hospital, where he died. 
Halifax Regional Police responded to a report of an injured person in the parking lot at Halifax Shopping Centre just after 5 p.m. on Monday. Upon arrival, officers located a male youth who was taken to hospital, where he died.

Halifax Regional Police responded to a report of an injured person in the parking lot at Halifax Shopping Centre just after 5 p.m. on April 22. (Dave Laughlin/CBC)

On Sunday, about 100 people took part in a sombre gathering at Peace and Friendship Park in downtown Halifax. Attendees prayed and shared memories of Al Marrach, who came with his family from Syria to Canada as refugees eight years ago.

Halifax Regional Police Const. John MacLeod did not indicate whether there are further suspects in the case, but said investigators haven't ruled out the possibility of more arrests.

He said in an interview he hopes the three arrests bring "some measure of comfort to the family."

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