A Saskatoon teenager has been sentenced to 18 months in connection with the death of a 12-year-old friend. The incident occurred when the 15-year-old, who was 13 at the time, accidentally shot his friend while playing with a gun and pretending to be part of a gang.
The judge, Lisa Watson, presiding over the case, ordered the teenager to spend one year in open custody and six months under community supervision. Following this, he will serve 18 months of probation. During the sentencing, Judge Watson expressed her hopes for the teenager to make positive strides in his life and emphasized the gravity of the situation for both families involved.
Court proceedings revealed that the tragic event took place while three underage boys were consuming alcohol and handling a sawed-off rifle in a Saskatoon residence. They were engaging in risky behavior by taking photos and videos pretending to be gang members. The victim was accidentally shot in the head by the accused, who mistakenly believed the gun was in a safe mode.
Another boy in the group, also 12 years old at the time, had previously pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death and received a two-year sentence, with a portion in a secure facility and the rest under community supervision and probation.
The court highlighted that the gun, obtained by the accused teenager’s sister, required deliberate actions to be fired, indicating the preventable nature of the incident. The defense acknowledged the tragedy of the situation and emphasized the dangers of mixing alcohol and firearms without proper supervision.
The victim, described as funny and charming, had his promising future cut short by the accident. Judge Watson expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating that the victim was unjustly denied the opportunity to live a fulfilling life.
While the Crown sought a maximum youth sentence, the judge deemed it unnecessary and opted for a more tailored approach considering the mitigating circumstances. The boy’s guilty plea, remorse, and efforts towards rehabilitation were recognized as positive factors in determining the sentence.
As part of his probation, the teenager must adhere to strict conditions, including regular reporting, a curfew, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, attending counseling, and refraining from firearm possession for a decade. Judge Watson highlighted the importance of accountability and positive change in the boy’s future.
