Couple sentenced in shooting spree
One walked free. The other will spend much of the rest of his 20s behind bars.
On Friday, an Edmonton couple charged following a string of shootings that wounded three people pleaded guilty to a variety of crimes, including robbery, possession of a restricted firearm, and riding in a car with a gun.
Wahid Mounji, 22, was given six years in prison for his role in the shootings, which took place on Oct. 12, 2019. Alana Kovac, his 20-year-old girlfriend, was sentenced to 22 months and released on time served.
The two were among six people charged in the shootings. The accused — who were all under the age of 21 at the time — collectively faced 126 charges.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Mounji, Kovac and the rest of the group drove to the 7-Eleven at 127 Avenue and 97 Street in Kovac's Acura just before 1 a.m.
Outside the store, Mounji saw a 17-year-old former classmate standing with another man. He demanded the man hand over a fanny pack he wore on his waist.
When the man refused, Mounji hit him, threw him to the ground and stole the pack, which contained cigarettes and medications.
While this was happening, two other members of the group picked a fight with the 17-year-old and shot him with a 9 mm Luger pistol.
The group then got back into the Acura and left. The teen was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police eventually picked up the group's trail and followed them until late the following evening, when they drove to Diverse Lounge, a hookah bar at 9604 111 Avenue. There, Mounji and the group encountered two men, Ali Mohamed and Shamake Sigar, who were standing outside the bar.
Officers tailing the group heard five or six gunshots, though they were unable to see what happened. The Acura sped off, followed by police cars and the Air 1 helicopter.
The car made it to a nearby Tim Hortons, where Mounji and the shooter tried to hide the Luger in a treed area. Police arrested the group and found the handgun a short time later.
Sigar and Mohamed were treated for gunshot wounds to their legs.
Mounji and Kovac were charged for their role in the club shooting shortly after their arrest. Police continued to investigate the 7-Eleven shooting for a year before laying charges. Mounji eventually faced 18 charges, while 20 were laid against Kovac. Both have been in custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre and sat next to one another in the prisoner's box.
Crown prosecutor Thomas O'leary did not allege that either Mounji or Kovac were the shooter, but said they bore responsibility for remaining with the group after the shots had been fired. He said it was particularly aggravating that Mounji told the shooter to open fire on Mohamed and Sigar.
O'leary said a six-year sentence, which was agreed to with the defence, would send a message “to others who might involve themselves with such groups.”
“Even if you are not the triggerman, a significant jail sentence can be expected, even with a guilty plea,” he said.
Mounji ultimately pleaded guilty to six counts, including robbery, aggravated assault, and possessing a restricted firearm.
Mounji told court the shootings happened after things went “sideways” in his personal life. He was recreationally using prescription drugs and hanging out with the wrong crowd, defence lawyer Mark Jordan told court. Mounji apologized to his mother and brother, who were in court.
Justice Avril Inglis accepted the Crown and defence's sentencing submission but told Mounji he could have faced 10 years in prison.
She said the crime displayed a “shocking” level of violence.
“Just because no one died doesn't mean this wasn't a big deal, what happened.”
Kovac pleaded guilty to being an occupant in a vehicle with a firearm and breaching conditions by speaking to her co-accused.
The remaining charges were withdrawn by the Crown. Mounji accrued about two years' worth of enhanced credit for time spent in pre-trial custody.