Judge fumes as unprepared defence delays sentencing for Edmonton drive-by shooter, 19 months after guilty plea

Nineteen months after he pleaded guilty to randomly shooting at Edmonton motorists while driving around with thousands of dollars worth of fentanyl, Tariq Aman says he once again needs more time to prepare for sentencing.

The judge begrudgingly agreed to his request, citing the fact the Crown wants him sentenced to 15 years in prison. But she made clear the defence is on thin ice, and apologized to the victims who took time off to attend court.

“I understand your loss of faith that this will actually proceed if I adjourn today,” Court of King’s Bench Justice Avril Inglis told victims Thursday. “I think you all understand, based on things I said to counsel today, that I am also grossly disappointed and upset and disillusioned in this sentencing process as well.”

Aman, 34, has been sitting in the Edmonton Remand Centre since July 2023, when he committed a spree of shootings that terrorized motorists and ended in a high-speed police chase. Aman shot at four vehicles, injuring two and earning condemnation from elected officials, including then-mayor Amarjeet Sohi.

Aman pleaded guilty in March 2025, but has since delayed sentencing four times. On Thursday, defence counsel Yodit Kidane — his third lawyer — told court she needs more time to obtain documents from the remand centre and file materials for sentencing.

Inglis agreed to adjourn the case another month, but did not hide her frustration. She said she doesn’t want to force defence counsel to proceed unprepared, because it could give Aman grounds for appeal.

Aman and Neanna Wuttunee spent the evening of July 15, 2023, driving around Edmonton with a handgun stolen years before from a local gun range. For no apparent reason, Aman shot at four different motorists, including a car full of teenagers on Whyte Avenue, two of whom suffered serious arm injuries.

No motive for the violence has emerged, though Aman was incoherent when police disabled his vehicle and pulled him from the wreckage — which was filled with empty alcohol cans and 100 grams of fentanyl. He verbally abused the officers — saying “f— you pig … given this as evidence, you’re a lying racist piece of s—” — and continued to taunt police on the way to hospital. He later claimed he was sober at the time.

“So your client’s indecision prevented me from receiving the presentence reports I ordered,” Inglis replied.

Kerri Facchinutti, the prosecutor, opposed any more delays. She said there is obvious public interest in seeing guilty people sentenced quickly, while also noting the frustrations of the victims.

“They feel like their time has not been respected, hearing for the first time yesterday an adjournment is being sought,” she said. “They expressed being further victimized by this delay.”

Kidane acknowledged the difficulties the victims face.

“This is not a situation where (Aman is) trying to delay getting himself sentenced,” she said. “But he does want to make sure we’re able to prepare the best material we can on his behalf.”

Inglis concluded by apologizing to victims. She said she would hold the defence to strict deadlines on future submissions ahead of the next court date, Nov. 27.

Aman sat in the prisoner’s box wearing a black sweater and did not speak during the hearing.

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