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A Manitoba man who committed a string of crimes, one of which was shooting and injuring mounties in pursuit, has been given an 18-year prison sentence.
Therae Racette-Beaulieu pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder, break and enter, and robbery in connection with several crimes in western Manitoba last summer.
When Racette-Beaulieu was 18 he and several other men broke into residences and garages, stealing a truck and a semi-automatic shotgun among other items.
Police responded to the theft and forced the stolen truck off the road near Onanole, Man.
While Racette-Beaulieu’s accomplices fled, he started firing at the pursuing Mounties, two of which were directly affected by his decision.
Cpl. Graeme Kingdon was hit in the back of the head with shotgun pellets and Const. Mitch Thompson was pinned down from gunfire and continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result.
The manhunt was ended several hours later in Neepawa, Man. after four suspects were arrested. The other three accused are still before the courts.
“To state the obvious, the conduct of Mr. Racette-Beaulieu was disturbing and abhorrent,” Provincial court Judge John Combs said in his sentencing decision on Tuesday.
“These officers, and their families, are scarred for life.”
Combs acknowledged Racette-Beaulieu’s childhood was traumatic, but added that Racette-Beaulieu has not expressed remorse for his crimes and believes the shooter’s actions deserve strong condemnation.
“He has a lack of empathy and has reluctance to accept responsibility,” Combs said.
“He remains, in his present state, a very dangerous individual.”
During his victim statement last month, Kingdon conveyed how the shooting has altered his life, including being unable to return to work and engage with his family as he had in the past.
“The only reason my family is not describing my murder right now is that I fought to live, and brave police officers and paramedics saved my life,” Kingdon said.
The Crown was seeking 20 years in prison, while defence asked for 16 1/2 years.
With files from The Canadian Press
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