Man sentenced to a decade in jail for role in mass killing plot at Halifax mall
HALIFAX — A young Halifax man has been sentenced to a decade in jail for a plot that envisioned using rifles and gas bombs to kill unsuspecting shoppers at a mall food court.
Randall Steven Shepherd, who was described in court as a disaffected youth who was a “cheerleader” of the 2015 plot, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder Tuesday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.
“But for a Crime Stopper’s tip (to police) … Mr. Shepherd’s co-conspirators may very well have accomplished their goals,” Justice Patrick Duncan said as he sentenced the pale, thin Shepherd to 10 years, minus time already served, as jointly recommended by the Crown and defence.
The judge said it’s difficult to imagine a crime more damaging to a community’s sense of peace and security, but also said he considered that the 22-year-old was not the main conspirator in the case.