13-year-old had been drinking when he shot his friend, court heard

Paramedics called Saskatoon Police shortly after arriving and reported that the teen had been shot. He was taken to hospital but died that day from the gunshot wound to the head.

A search of the bedroom turned up a cell phone, a can of bear spray, two .22 bullets, one 9 mm bullet, a set of handcuffs, a blue sword machete, a black knife with hockey tape on the handle and eight bottles of vodka.

After hearing the gunshot, M.S.’ adult sister ran in the room and saw situation, but the two teens and the sister decided to blame the shooting on a young person who had been in the house.

However, police quickly learned the truth and arrested M.S, who told them that he thought the gun was in ‘safe mode’ as the teens were messing around.

Tests by SPS showed that the gun could not be discharged without disengaging the safety and pulling the trigger.

The videos the boys had taken showed all three drinking from a 26-ounce bottle of Absolut Vodka for over three hours.

Each of them took turns pointing the gun and bear spray at one another with one video 50 seconds before the 911 call, showing M.S. pointing the gun at F.M.

M.S. pleaded guilty to using a gun to commit criminal negligence causing death, but the Crown and defense could not agree on a fit sentence.

The Crown wanted M.S. to have the maximum youth sentence of three years in custody followed by a supervisory order.

The defense asked for 18 months in custody followed by 12 months of probation. Both agreed to a 10-year firearms ban.

According to the written decision posted online, M.S. is the second youngest of seven children and was born and raised on MGBHLM. Overall, he reported having a loving, support and healthy family with some issues, such as his father having a drinking problem that he made positive changes to after programming.

When they moved to Saskatoon, however, the transition was difficult and led to financial instability which further led to them moving into a poorer area of the city where drugs and violence were rampant.

After trying homeschooling because they could not afford transportation and there were bullying issues at school, the youth tried online learning but still had challenges getting materials as they were expensive.

He is now in the process of working on Grade 8 and the family has moved back home to MGBHLM.

In 2023, when he was 13, M.S. began consuming alcohol in higher and higher amounts until he was drinking every day. He was also taking Xanax five times a month.

He has not consumed either since the shooting happened and became suicidal afterwards for a time.

Despite his history, the community has stepped up to say they will support the teen and his family.

“Letters were written by Chief Aguilar-Antiman of MGBHLM, a council member from the First Nation, an Elder, and a family member. These documents paint a picture of a kind, considerate, helpful, and shy teenager. Chief Aguilar-Antiman notes that the community is aware of M.S.’s criminal offence, and that the community is prepared to provide support to M.S. and his family,” said the decision, written by Provincial Court Judge, L.J. Watson.

Given the circumstances that M.S. did not intend to kill his friend and that he was released from custody about a month after being charged and had no breaches of his conditions, has taken counseling and has the support of his family, Watson opted to give an 18-month sentence in custody. Of those, six months will be under community supervision.

That will be followed by 18-months of probation and the 10-year firearm ban.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

by Susan McNeil

13-year-old had been drinking when he shot his friend, court heard

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