These 2 teens waged a 48-hour crime 'spree' across Toronto. How a judge drew a sharp line between them

Two teens who took part in a series of brazen, contract-style shootings two years ago were sentenced Monday.

Two Toronto-area teens who were only 15 when they participated in a 48-hour “senseless and dangerous crime spree” by shooting up eight business and a school were facing the same maximum youth sentence of three years after pleading guilty to numerous firearms offences last month. But the Crown and defence disagreed on whether the pair should receive any credit for the time they have spent in pre-sentence custody. On Monday, Superior Court Justice Maureen Forestell explained why she was sentencing the youths differently.

R.R. and K.A. admitted that at the end of June 2024, they — along with teenager A.P. — drove in stolen cars and shot up various locations in Scarborough and Richmond Hill at the behest of unnamed “influential adults” in the tow truck industry. A.P. pleaded guilty last month to the first-degree murder of a 28-year-old tow truck operator after being offered a sum of money. All three were present in the car the day A.P. received instructions on how to shoot the victim, who died July 6, 2024.

R.R. fired no shots during the attacks, and was not present for the killing. But he knew A.P. had shot a person and helped him dispose of the licence plates and burn the car used to carry out the ambush in a Scarborough gas station. The teens opened fire on cinemas, a towing company, an elementary school and a cannabis dispensary before the murder of Sulakshan Selvasingam.

The teens opened fire on cinemas, a towing company, an elementary school and a cannabis dispensary before the murder of Sulakshan Selvasingam. He also “encouraged his co-accused through his words and actions which included recording the others’ shooting at four targets,” Forestell said Monday, reading her sentencing decision. Although no one was injured, there were individuals present in the area of many of the shootings who were put at extreme risk of harm, the judge noted.

At the time, R.R. had no prior involvement with the justice system. His parents divorced when he was nine, and he moved around frequently without parental supervision. He was also profoundly affected after his uncle, who coached him in soccer, was murdered.

He was diagnosed with PTSD. In custody at a youth facility, he has participated in a wide range of programs and has nearly completed his high school credits. His family has remained supportive.

While the prosecution argued he should not receive any credit for the nearly 24 months he has already spent in custody, R.R. asked for a six- month reduction. Forestell found he was not a principal actor in the mayhem. While his encouragement and filming mattered, they were not the equivalent of firing shots or being present at the murder, she said.

His rehabilitation, the judge found, has already begun. “He has done everything that could be expected of him during his time in custody.” She concluded that by giving him six months’ pre-sentence credit, he was receiving the least restrictive sentence capable of holding him accountable while recognizing his progress.

She imposed 20 months of custody and 10 months of community supervision. She drew a clear line between him and K.A., who played a “central role,” by discharging a weapon repeatedly. He also helped destroy the vehicle used during the killing.

He, too, is receiving the maximum three-year sentence, but will not receive any credit for the time he has spent in a youth facility, despite his progress in custody. He also maintains strong family support, the judge said. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, a judge must consider a young person’s pre-sentence custody, but it is not a “mechanical calculation,” Forestell explained, adding “it has to be the least restrictive sentence and most likely to rehabilitate” the offender.

Serving anything less than three years would be “insufficient” for K.A., she said, sentencing him to 24 months in custody followed by 12 months of community supervision, starting Monday. Sentencing for A.P. will take place later this year. Police have not announced any charges against the “influential adults” who hired the teens.