R. v. X.X. – 2025 – 2941
Allegation:
X.X. was charged in connection with a violent confrontation that unfolded inside a downtown Calgary parkade. The incident involved allegations of gang-related activity, the use of a vehicle as a weapon, and a shooting. According to the Crown, the altercation involved two opposing groups who arrived separately and appeared to have pre-existing tensions.
Surveillance footage captured a chaotic series of events: a man exited one vehicle and quickly approached another individual. That second individual—allegedly armed—appeared to be reaching for, pointing and preparing to discharge a firearm. It was at that point that X.X., driving a pickup truck, allegedly accelerated toward the armed man and struck him at speed. The man was thrown several feet and sustained injuries from the impact.
Immediately following the collision, another individual—believed to be an associate of the person struck—drew a handgun and fired multiple rounds at the fleeing truck. Shell casings were recovered from the scene, and investigators noted ballistic damage to the vehicle. Police described the entire sequence as an escalating gang confrontation that nearly resulted in a fatality.
The Crown charged X.X. with multiple serious offences, including assault with a weapon, dangerous driving, and criminal negligence causing bodily harm. They took the position that X.X. had weaponized the vehicle and used deadly force in a targeted act of retaliation.
Using a motor vehicle to cause injury is among the most serious forms of assault in Canadian criminal law. When paired with gang-related allegations and the presence of firearms, sentencing expectations can climb dramatically—often into the range of high single digit years in a federal penitentiary. Courts emphasize that public safety and deterrence are paramount.
Result:
Sean Fagan was retained to defend X.X. The incident had been captured on video, which can be a double-edged sword. In the end, all charges were withdrawn. X.X. walked away without a criminal record—despite having faced charges that, if proven, would likely have resulted in years of incarceration.