Close X
Sunday, January 12, 2025
ADVT 
National

Grand Jury Considers Case Of Canadian Diplomat's Son Charged In Deadly Shootout

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Apr, 2015 01:56 PM
    MIAMI — A grand jury will consider whether to bring formal murder charges against the son of a Canadian diplomat who police say was involved in a drug-related shootout that killed his brother and another teenager, a Florida prosecutor said Wednesday.
     
    Assistant State Attorney Marie Mato said after a brief hearing that the grand jury could decide to charge 15-year-old Marc Wabafiyebazu as an adult.
     
    Wabafiyebazu's attorney, Curt Obront, said his client will plead not guilty to any charges that are filed.
     
    "We will be defending these charges," Obront told reporters.
     
    Wabafiyebazu was arrested after the shooting deaths of his 17-year-old brother, Jean, and 17-year-old Joshua Wright.
     
    Police say the Wabafiyebazu brothers were involved in an alleged marijuana drug deal when something went wrong.
     
    The alleged dealer, 19-year-old Anthony Rodriguez, was wounded in the arm and also faces felony murder charges.
     
    Under Florida law, people can be charged with felony murder if they were involved in a crime that leads to a killing — even if a person didn't participate directly in the killing.
     
    Police also say Wabafiyebazu threatened to shoot a detective in the head after his arrest, which would be another felony count.
     
    The Wabafiyebazu brothers' mother is Roxanne Dube, a longtime Canadian diplomat who recently became general consul in Miami. Dube attended the hearing Wednesday but did not speak with reporters.
     
    Wabafiyebazu spoke only to answer a few questions from Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Angelica Zayas, who set an April 20 hearing on the results of the grand jury's work.
     
    "How are you doing this morning?" Zayas asked the boy at one point.
     
    "I'm doing fine," he responded.
     
     
    "Don't say anything to anybody about this case," the judge warned.
     
    According to police reports, the Wabafiyebazu brothers — who had only recently relocated from their father's home in Ottawa to South Florida to be with their mother — took their mother's personal vehicle to the alleged drug meeting.
     
    The personal vehicle carries diplomatic plates, but authorities say Wabafiyebazu is not protected by diplomatic immunity.
     
    Police say Rodriguez brought the marijuana — worth less than $5,000 — and negotiations began. Wabafiyebazu said he was waiting outside in his mother's car while his older brother went inside "to conduct the rip-off," according to a police report.
     
    "In the process of that rip-off, several shots were fired inside the residence," killing Jean Wabafiyebazu and Wright.
     
    Rodriguez was wounded along with a fourth person, 21-year-old Johan Ruiz, who was shot in the abdomen and is recovering.
     
    Police say Marc Wabafiyebazu rushed into the house after hearing the gunshots, but exactly what he did after that is not clear. Police have also said the two dead teenagers apparently shot each other.
     
    Authorities have not said where Jean Wabafiyebazu obtained a weapon or weapons they believe he brought to the residence.
     
    Obront said Marc Wabafiyebazu has no prior criminal record.
     
    "This is a tragic situation," Obront said. "Our heart goes out to all of the families."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Many turned away as hundreds line up for funeral of Toronto boy who froze to death

    Many turned away as hundreds line up for funeral of Toronto boy who froze to death
    TORONTO — Hundreds lined up Saturday for the funeral of a Toronto boy whose death earlier this month touched the hearts of Canadians across the country.-photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

    Many turned away as hundreds line up for funeral of Toronto boy who froze to death

    Adil Charkaoui blasts decision to suspend leases to Montreal Muslim schools

    Adil Charkaoui blasts decision to suspend leases to Montreal Muslim schools
    MONTREAL — Adil Charkaoui is blasting a decision by two Montreal junior colleges to suspend leases granted to his Arabic schools.

    Adil Charkaoui blasts decision to suspend leases to Montreal Muslim schools

    No defence witnesses or evidence being called in Via terror plot trial

    No defence witnesses or evidence being called in Via terror plot trial
    TORONTO — Two men accused of plotting to derail a passenger train travelling between Canada and the U.S. chose not to call any evidence or witnesses in their defence at their trial, clearing the way for the case to wrap up in the coming days

    No defence witnesses or evidence being called in Via terror plot trial

    Lawyer for Canadian journalist on trial in Egypt lashes out at Harper govt

    Lawyer for Canadian journalist on trial in Egypt lashes out at Harper govt
    The high-profile human rights lawyer for a Canadian journalist on trial in Egypt is lashing out at what she calls Canada's "woefully inadequate" efforts to bring him home.

    Lawyer for Canadian journalist on trial in Egypt lashes out at Harper govt

    Six Quebecers left country in January and may have joined jihad groups: report

    Six Quebecers left country in January and may have joined jihad groups: report
    MONTREAL — Reports claiming six young Quebecers left the country in mid-January and may have joined jihadist groups in the Middle East prompted a call from public safety officials urging families to contact authorities if they suspect relatives have been radicalized.

    Six Quebecers left country in January and may have joined jihad groups: report

    Police say two bodies found in debris of Quebec fire where children reported missing

    Police say two bodies found in debris of Quebec fire where children reported missing
    GRACEFIELD, Que. — Quebec provincial police say they've found two bodies at the scene of a house fire in the western Quebec community of Gracefield where two children were believed missing late Thursday.

    Police say two bodies found in debris of Quebec fire where children reported missing