A teenager involved in a deadly attack near an Edmonton school has been sentenced, as one of seven individuals charged in the incident.
The attack, which occurred in October 2019, resulted in the death of 19-year-old Abdiqani Hussen. The victim was found with multiple stab wounds and later died in hospital.
The accused, who cannot be named due to being a minor, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in custody, followed by four years of community supervision.
During the sentencing hearing, the court heard that the accused was 16 years old at the time of the attack and had no prior criminal record. The judge also took into consideration the accused’s guilty plea and expression of remorse.
The Crown prosecutor argued for a sentence of four to five years in custody, while the defense requested a sentence of two years in custody and three years of community supervision.
In delivering the sentence, the judge stated that the accused’s actions were “senseless and tragic” and that the sentence was meant to hold the accused accountable for their role in the attack.
The other six individuals involved in the attack are still awaiting trial. They are facing charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and assault with a weapon.
The victim’s family expressed disappointment with the sentence, stating that they had hoped for a longer period of custody for the accused.
The school where the attack took place, J. Percy Page High School, has implemented additional safety measures since the incident, including increased security and a zero-tolerance policy for violence.
This sentencing serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of addressing and preventing such incidents in our communities.
