Weight Bench Dispute Escalates to Violent Assault in B.C. Gym
Two individuals, immigrants from Syria and Iraq, have been convicted of assault causing bodily harm following a physical altercation at a British Columbia recreation center. The dispute, which began over the use of a weight bench, resulted in a violent encounter that left one man injured.
The Incident Unfolds
The confrontation occurred on February 27, 2024, at the Poirier Recreation Centre in Coquitlam. Zhe Ming Bryan Wong, a 32-year-old accountant and digital marketer, was exercising and asked an elderly man if a nearby weight bench was available. Upon receiving an affirmative nod, Wong moved the bench to a different area of the gym.
Shortly after, Wong heard a man, later identified as Sa’Ad Munshed, aggressively question who had taken the bench. Court documents indicate Munshed approached Wong in a confrontational manner. Wong began returning the bench while Munshed pointed back to its original location.
Escalating Tensions
Testimony presented in court detailed conflicting accounts of the initial physical contact. Munshed stated Wong became aggressive and pushed him, making a comment about being the “number one guy in the gym.” Wong, on the other hand, testified he feared for his safety but wished to assert himself and not be intimidated, urging Munshed to stop yelling.
A judge’s review of surveillance footage noted a point where Wong’s middle finger may have been raised, though Wong stated its meaning can vary. After Wong, who was described as heavier than Munshed, pushed Munshed, a man in a grey hoodie intervened, pushing Wong back. A jostling match ensued between Wong and Munshed, with several men reportedly aligning themselves behind Munshed.
The Assault
Wong then left the upstairs gym area, reportedly followed by Munshed and others. Despite attempts by Munshed’s brother to de-escalate the situation, the confrontation continued as Wong approached the stairs. Munshed again moved close to Wong, who then pushed Munshed towards a wall.
At this point, Ali Alabed, who has boxing experience, entered the fray, pushing Wong. Wong responded by pushing Alabed back and delivering several kicks. Alabed then punched Wong in the face three times. Munshed joined the assault, punching and shoving Wong. The court documents describe a two-on-one scenario where both Alabed and Munshed delivered punches to Wong’s body and head as they moved him down a hallway. Wong reportedly extended his arms defensively, and his tank top was torn off during the altercation.
Injuries and Convictions
Wong reported feeling blood and believing he was defending his life as the situation escalated. Surveillance footage showed Wong’s arms were extended with open hands during the attack. Following the assault, Wong was taken to the hospital. He sustained cracked bones around his eyes, a concussion, and required stitches for a cut near his eye that needed to remain closed for two weeks. He also suffered bruising to other parts of his body and missed a month of work.
The Crown successfully argued that Munshed and Alabed were not acting in self-defense. The judge concluded that the altercation evolved into an attack on Wong, finding both accused guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of assault causing bodily harm. The judge noted that while racial slurs were alleged by both sides, the initial dispute over the weight bench and a sense of “machoism” played a significant role in the escalation.
Alabed, 22, immigrated from Syria four years ago. Munshed, 29, is an Iraqi-born permanent resident who has lived in Canada since he was 14 and works as a roofer.
