Youth sentencing decision following convictions for manslaughter, aggravated assault, careless use of a firearm, and possession of a firearm without a licence arising from a shooting in an apartment building lobby.
The young person fired a handgun at individuals who had just assaulted him with a baseball bat, killing one person and grazing another while they fled.
The court considered significant mitigating factors including elements of self-defence and provocation, cognitive developmental delays affecting decision-making, remorse, and substantial rehabilitative progress during lengthy pre‑trial custody.
Applying the principles of proportionality and least restrictive sanction under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and accounting for 22 months of pre‑trial custody, the court imposed a 2.5‑year custody and supervision order with one day of custody and the balance under community supervision.