Article content continued

The offender, whom Gaschler convicted of aggravated assault last year, was 16 years old when he randomly shot German tourist Horst Stewin, who was driving with family members west of Calgary.

The teen was also convicted of recklessly discharging a firearm into a vehicle knowing there was a person present.

Before accepting the joint submission, Gaschler heard a victim-impact statement from Stewin’s son, Daniel.

The younger Stewin said the shooting has turned the family’s life upside down, making his father unemployable.

“He may lose his house and needs to live from the money he has saved over the years,” Daniel said of his father, now 62 years old.

“He’s had serious suicidal ideations.”

Horst Stewin, who was visiting Canada with family members, was driving on Highway 1A west of Calgary on Aug. 2, 2018, when a bullet struck him in the head.

After the German man returned home for further medical treatment, fragments were surgically removed from his skull.

Gaschler ruled that Facebook messages sent from the teen’s account were sent by him and proved he was the gunman.

“I find the Facebook conversation … is not hearsay but an admission against interest,” Gaschler said in his lengthy written ruling.

The messages included the line: “Cops looking for me cause I shot somebody in the head. That was me.”

Gaschler said while the crime was serious, the offender’s conduct was driven by an adult male who provided the youth alcohol and methamphetamines on the day of the shooting.

The judge encouraged the teen to seek out an elder within his community for guidance while serving his community time.

KMartin@postmedia.com

Twitter: @KMartinCourts