B.C. man pleads guilty to northern Ont. shooting, Crown drops attempted murder charge
A man who admitted to shooting up a home in Greater Sudbury in 2020 over a drug theft pled guilty Wednesday to reduced charges.
Adrian Eppinger, 33, originally faced eight charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated assault.
Wednesday in a Zoom hearing, Eppinger pled guilty to three charges, including one count each of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm and simple assault.
Court heard that associates of Eppinger were selling cannabis and using a Sudbury residence to store their product. When about $75,000 in cannabis was stolen, they blamed a Val Caron man.
Eppinger’s associates threatened the man, warning that ‘Superman’ was coming to exact revenge. ‘Superman’ was an alias linked to Eppinger.
“Bro, you can’t deny it forever,” the victim was told.
“Stay away from anyone you care about. We’ll find you, buddy.”
Assistant Crown attorney Kaely Whillans read an agreed statement of facts into the record during the online hearing Wednesday.
Eppinger flew to Toronto from Kelowna, B.C., on April 18, 2020, was picked up and driven to Sudbury.
On April 19, he stayed at a Lorne Street motel. Police tracked his movements after the fact using the GPS tracker in the Ford Fusion his accomplice was driving, as well as cellphone records.
Eppinger’s phone was detected in Garson at 8:20 p.m. on April 19, and on Radar Road at 8:39, just 12 kilometres from the victim’s home.
The phone is tracked at various locations in the city until 3:53 a.m. April 20, when the Ford Fusion is just three kilometres from the victim’s home.
Eppinger got out of the passenger seat and into the back seat just before 4 a.m., firing five shots into the bedroom of the residence, where the victim, his wife and infant child were sleeping. No one was injured.
“Mr. Eppinger fired shots into the home,” Whillans said.
The Ford Fusion made three or four passes outside the home after the shooting and the vehicle then returned to Garson.
In Garson, Eppinger got into another vehicle – a Ford Escape -- drove straight to Milton, Ont., and checked into a hotel. He spent the night and flew back to B.C. the next morning.
He was arrested by the RCMP in Kelowna in February 2021.
Before she pronounced him guilty, Justice Kathleen Cullin asked Eppinger if he had anything to say.
“I have nothing to add, your honour,” he replied.
Cullin formally found him guilty of the three charges. A sentencing date will be set at a hearing April 4.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Northern B.C., Alberta and all of Ontario under 'high' to 'extreme' wildfire risk: What to know
There's a heightened risk of wildfires across the country during what has been one of the earliest fire seasons on record. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, here's where the risk is highest.
Provinces must seek anti-smoking measures in Big Tobacco settlement: health groups
Three national health organizations want Canada's premiers to push for initiatives to reduce smoking during settlement negotiations with major tobacco companies, years after provinces sued to recoup health-care costs.
WATCH
WATCH | Dashcam video shows out-of-control Nova Scotia wildfire
Dashcam footage shows the extent of the Tantallon wildfire as it raged in Hammonds Plains, N.S.
Body of 12-year-old Winnipeg boy who fell into Sturgeon Falls found
The body of a 12-year-old boy from Winnipeg who fell into Sturgeon Falls on Saturday has been found.
Giraffe at Calgary zoo died from a broken neck, investigation reveals
Officials with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo have released more information about the death of Emara, a 12-year-old Masai giraffe, earlier this month.
Halifax-area wildfire still out of control, 'many' structures destroyed
Officials say a wildfire that began in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area Sunday afternoon is ongoing and still not under control.
OBITUARY
OBITUARY | Quebec actor Michel Cote, known for film and theatre roles, dead at 72
Quebec actor Michel Cote, who captivated audiences with his roles in the theatre piece 'Broue' and films such as 'Cruising Bar' and C.R.A.Z.Y.,' has died at 72.
Albertans head to polls in what's expected to be very close election between UCP, NDP
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.
6 cougars killed near Victoria after attacks on sheep farms
Conservation officers have captured and killed six cougars near Victoria this year in response to multiple predatory attacks on sheep farms.
Barrie
-
OPP officers narrowly escape collision in Tiny Township
Two OPP officers and cruisers narrowly escaped a collision in Tiny Township Sunday evening while en route to a call for service.
-
Catalytic converters stolen from company vehicles at 2 Barrie businesses
Police are investigating the theft of catalytic converters from two Barrie businesses.
-
Honda Canada announces historic milestone at Alliston, Ont. manufacturing plant
Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) is celebrating a "historic milestone" on Monday, announcing it manufactured its 10 millionth vehicle, a 2023 CR-V Touring Hybrid, at the production plant in Alliston, Ont.
Toronto
-
More than half of GTA condo investors losing money on properties: report
A new report says for the first time ever, more than half of newly-completed condo investors in the Greater Toronto Area were losing money on their rental properties last year — and its authors expect the trend to persist.
-
Engaged couple shot dead fleeing landlord after house dispute near Hamilton, Ont., police say
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.
-
Motorcyclist struck and killed by driver making left-turn in Scarborough: police
Toronto police continue to investigate a crash in Scarborough Sunday afternoon that left a motorcyclist dead.
Ottawa
-
Summer construction season set to begin in Ottawa
The city says during the 2023 construction season, the project will focus on completing the installation of the watermain and storm/sanitary sewer and surface work along Bronson Avenue, and begin the installation of the storm sewer and sanitary sewer on Queen Street, between Bronson Avenue and Bay Street.
-
Kingston Health Sciences Centre to limit walk-in patient numbers at children's clinic
Kingston Health Sciences Centre says it will be implementing a cap on the number of daily walk-in patients it accepts at the children's outpatient clinic urgent care centre at the Hotel Dieu Hospital.
-
Augusta driver blew 3x the legal limit on Highway 416
Ontario Provincial Police say a driver from Augusta Township is facing an impaired driving charge after someone on Highway 416 spotted a vehicle moving erratically.
Kitchener
-
Two drivers killed in Oxford County crash
A double fatal crash has shut down a rural road in Oxford County.
-
House hit with gunfire in Brantford, shell casings found: police
Brantford police are looking into reports of shots fired after a home was allegedly hit with gunfire.
-
Guelph police looking for driver in stolen truck after 3 hit and runs
Guelph police say they’re looking for the driver of a white Chevrolet pickup that was involved in three hit and runs on Friday evening.
London
-
OPP investigating double fatal crash involving school bus
Two people are now confirmed dead following a crash north of Woodstock.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Auto parts factory notified of closure
Unifor says it has been informed by Wescast Industries that the company intends to close its foundry in Wingham, potentially putting more than 250 people out of work.
-
'Disturbance' in downtown core yields loaded firearm: London police
A 19-year-old man is facing a slew of criminal charges after he was allegedly in possession of a loaded firearm and involved in a disturbance in the downtown core over the weekend.
Windsor
-
Windsor mayor calls for renewed federal commitment and construction at EV battery plant
Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens is calling for resumption of construction and renewed federal commitment of the NextStar Energy electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility in Windsor.
-
Motorcyclist charged after crash in Lakeshore
Essex County OPP have charged a motorcyclist after a crash in Lakeshore.
-
Transit Windsor buses might have more senior riders next week: Here’s why
Transit Windsor is offering rides for a loonie for seniors next week.
Montreal
-
Launch of Francisation Quebec: a new portal for anyone who wants to learn French
As of June 1, anyone wishing to learn or improve their command of the French language will have to register via the Francisation Quebec portal, the government's new single point of service for coordinating all French language learning services.
-
Montreal creates working group to push forward on plans for Hippodrome site
The City of Montreal has begun the latest chapter in plans for the abandoned Blue Bonnets/Hippodrome racetrack. On Monday, the province and municipality announced a working group to begin creating what it envisions as the city's 'next great district of the future.'
-
Quebec announces a further $5.7 million to combat gun violence and organized crime
Quebec is allocating $5.7 million to intensify police presence in "strategic locations" in the Montreal region. Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel made the announcement on Monday at the Quebec provincial police (SQ) headquarters in Montreal.
Atlantic
-
Halifax-area wildfire still out of control, 'many' structures destroyed
Officials say a wildfire that began in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area Sunday afternoon is ongoing and still not under control.
-
Shelburne County wildfire out of control, about 1,500 evacuated
Roughly 450 homes have been evacuated in Shelburne County as a wildfire burns out of control over thousands of hectares.
-
400 homes evacuated, one destroyed by forest fires in southwestern New Brunswick
About 400 homes in southwestern New Brunswick have been evacuated because of forest fires that began Sunday after an all-terrain vehicle that burst into flames.
Winnipeg
-
Body of 12-year-old Winnipeg boy who fell into Sturgeon Falls found
The body of a 12-year-old boy from Winnipeg who fell into Sturgeon Falls on Saturday has been found.
-
Winnipeg forecasting $27 million deficit
The City of Winnipeg’s rainy day fund could be running dry.
-
'We are not filling a dumpster in 24 hours': The illegal dumping problem in Point Douglas
Residents in Point Douglas say their area has become a dumping ground for the rest of the city's unwanted garbage, and want more done to get rid of the piles of trash accumulating in the central-Winnipeg neighbourhood.
Calgary
-
2 people killed in officer-involved shooting on Memorial Drive
Calgary police have closed Memorial Drive in both directions between Edmonton Trail and St. George's Drive N.E. after shooting two suspects.
-
Battleground: An election expected to be won or lost in Calgary
With voters set to cast their ballot in this election campaign, polls and political watchers have said Calgary is where the election will either be won or lost for Alberta’s next government.
-
Calgary in the spotlight as Albertans head to the polls
Alberta electors who have yet to cast their ballots will head to the polls on Monday following a gruelling and contentious campaign trail from both the United Conservative Party and the Alberta NDP.
Edmonton
-
Albertans head to polls in what's expected to be very close election between UCP, NDP
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.
-
Some of the memorable comments made during Alberta election campaign
Candidates for both the United Conservative Party and New Democrats have been campaigning over the last four weeks for their party to form the next Alberta government. Here are some memorable quotes from the campaign.
-
Calgary in the spotlight as Albertans head to the polls
Alberta electors who have yet to cast their ballots will head to the polls on Monday following a gruelling and contentious campaign trail from both the United Conservative Party and the Alberta NDP.
Vancouver
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Man accused of mass stabbing in North Vancouver, B.C., pleads guilty to all charges
Yannick Bandaogo, the man accused of a March 2021 stabbing spree in North Vancouver that killed one and injured six, has pleaded guilty to all the charges he faced.
-
'Why would you do that to a dog?' Man allegedly threw fiery gas canister at group of homeless people and their pet
A security camera captured the moment a man allegedly lit a canister of gasoline on fire before throwing it at a group of homeless people and their dog in Maple Ridge on Friday.
-
Uber launching in Victoria and Kelowna next week
After years of trying to break into the market, popular ride-hailing app Uber is set to launch in Victoria and Kelowna in early June.