Woman involved in Prince Albert ride-sharing shooting incident, receives community-based sentence

Background of the case

On the day of the incident, police officers responded to the 500 block of 22nd Street E for a report of a shooting. At the time, police indicated one man was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to his back.

Speaking afterwards to paNOW on the condition of anonymity, the victim explained how he offered to provide two women in the city a ride through the Facebook group, P.A. Safe Rides.

After multiple stops, including a trip to Sturgeon Lake, the driver arrived back at an address in the city’s east hill area where a third person climbed in (Derek Cook).

When the passengers asked to go to another location, the driver, explaining he was tired, declined. At that point, the victim claims one of the women attempted to steal his keys.

Cook, who had climbed into the back seat, suddenly got out and moved to the driver’s side window where he stabbed the victim in the arm, and then threatened to kill him if he didn’t give them the truck.

The driver responded by speeding off but while doing so was shot in the back by Cook. He spent three weeks in hospital and still has a bullet lodged in his rib.

Defence submissions

According to information heard in court Monday, April knew there was a gang-related plan to steal the vehicle, but did not know Cook had a gun and a knife.

Since the incident, April claims to have severed ties with the gang she was involved with. She’s currently receiving support from Str8 Up (support program for people wanting to leave gang lifestyle) and residing at a sober living facility in Saskatoon.

When Judge Hugh Harradence inquired whether she was still in contact with her former associates, defence lawyer Dale Blenner-Hassett explained she wants nothing to do them, but still receives messages, telling her she has not completed her full minute.

Upon accepting the joint submission, Harradence noted his own amazement at April’s ability to graduate high school with honours despite a pre-sentence report he described as more disturbing with each page.

Blenner-Hassett had also indicated April became a house leader and was helping others in similar situations. Harradence encouraged her to stay on this path.

“You have some real ability to make a difference,” he said.

That being said, Harradence reminded April her opportunity to serve her sentence in the community was stringent upon her following her conditions and staying away from negative influences.

“Eighteen months is a long time in anyone’s life,” he said. “You need to understand that.”

When given the opportunity to speak, April stood before the court and said she accepted her role in what happened.

“I’m trying really, really hard to get my life together,” she said.

Following the completion of her sentence, April will be prohibited from owning or possessing any weapons for a period of 10 years.

The man who pulled the trigger, Derek Cook, was sentenced in April, 2021, He received a four-year prison term after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and breach of probation.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Woman involved in Prince Albert ride-sharing shooting incident, receives community-based sentence

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