City man sentenced to six years for role in drive-by shooting

Participating in a drive-by shooting on a Calgary street has landed a city man a six-year prison term.

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Karen Horner on Thursday agreed with a joint Crown and defence submission for that sentence for Abdul Rahman Ali Amer.

Amer, 21, pleaded guilty in April to a charge of discharging a firearm with intent to wound in connection with a Dec. 13, 2015, shooting on a northeast residential street.

Crown prosecutor Heather Morris said, even though the incident occurred at 10 p.m. on a December night, there was still a risk of hitting a bystander.

“This was a residential neighbourhood,” Morris told Horner.

She noted Amer and another man hunted down their targets before one of them opened fire at the victims’ vehicle.

“This crime was planned and premeditated,” Morris said.

Morris said Parliament clearly deems such gun play to be a serious offence, noting the fact a restricted handgun was used meant a minimum sentence of five years.

“We are dealing with gun violence, a pistol was used,” she said.

“It was only luck (no one was hurt) … it is very fortunate in this case there were no injuries to the victims.”

But the prosecutor acknowledged there were mitigating circumstances, such as Amer’s young age and his guilty plea.

She also said the weapon used was found by the police.

“That gun is off the street,” Morris said.

In April, Morris said the intended targets of the gunfire — Jonathan D’Cruz and Adedamola Seun Adeoshun — had been tracked down by Amer and his unnamed accomplice.

“One of them drove the vehicle and the other fired the shots.

“They acted in concert to discharge a restricted firearm at Jonathan D’Cruz and Adedamola Seun Adeoshun.”

Defence counsel Gavin Wolch said his client was remorseful, and he had been in talks with the Crown about resolving the case since December 2016, when Amer was granted bail.

He also said Amer, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, has been

Weare dealing with gun violence, a pistol was used …it is very fortunate in this case there were no injuries to the victims.

compliant with bail conditions for almost two years.

Before sentencing, Amer addressed the court.

“I just want to say I learned my lesson,” he told Horner.

Following sentencing, Morris withdrew, or stayed 11 other charges Amer faced, including three of attempted murder and a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

With credit for time in custody Amer has a little more than five years left to serve.