Judge delays Edmonton drive-by shooting sentencing for fourth time as defence unprepared

Justice Avril Inglis postponed sentencing for Tariq Aman Thursday for the fourth time, adjourning the case for one month as defence counsel remained unprepared, nearly 19 months after his guilty plea.

Aman, 34, has been held at Edmonton Remand Centre since July 2023, when he and passenger Neanna Wuttunee carried out a shooting spree targeting four vehicles on Whyte Avenue. Two teenagers sustained serious arm injuries in the attack. Police recovered a stolen handgun and 100 grams of fentanyl from the wrecked vehicle, along with empty alcohol cans. Aman later claimed he was sober at the time.

Aman pleaded guilty in March 2025 to nine charges. The Crown has requested 15 years in prison. His current lawyer, Yodit Kidane—his third counsel—cited office staffing difficulties and problems reaching Aman in the remand centre as reasons for the delay. Kidane said she was awaiting corrections records of Aman's placements, which affect pretrial credit calculations, and an affidavit from Aman about his detention experiences.

Inglis expressed her frustration directly to victims in court. "I understand your loss of faith that this will actually proceed if I adjourn today. 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," she said.

Prosecutor Kerri Facchinutti opposed further delays, telling the court that victims "feel like their time has not been respected." Inglis acknowledged that forcing the defence to proceed unprepared could give Aman grounds for appeal, but the repeated adjournments have stalled justice for more than a year and a half.