Robert John Sheppard Sentenced to six years in prison in connection with west Lethbridge shooting

Aug 9, 2019 | 2:37 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A 34-year-old Lethbridge man, convicted of eight offences, including discharging a firearm at a person with the intent to wound, maim or disfigure, carrying a concealed weapon, pointing a firearm and five other firearms related offences – was handed a six-year prison sentence in Court of Queen’s Bench Friday (Aug. 9).

Robert John Sheppard’s lawyer, Andre Ouellette had filed a Section 12 Charter application during his last court appearance, claiming that while in remand, his client was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre.

However, Crown Prosecutor Tyler Raymond argued that Sheppard specifically asked to be segregated after he was beaten within the first 48 hours of his arrival at the correctional centre.

Sheppard also signed three separate forms, all about three months apart, in Oct. 2018, Jan. 2019 and in April 2019, indicating that his conditions and placement were satisfactory.

Justice G.S. Maxwell dismissed the Defense application and gave Sheppard the usual 1.5 days credit for every day served in custody prior to sentencing. With time already served, Sheppard has about four years left on his sentence.

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Case History

Back on April 18, 2018, Sheppard was upset that his girlfriend Erika Grintals was ignoring his phone calls and texts. So, he went to her home with a gun.

When no one answered the door, he went into the back yard where Grintals was relaxing around a fire pit. An argument or disagreement ensued, and Sheppard referred to a rifle and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

She then went into her home and told her son, his girlfriend and another friend to turn off all the lights and music and to call 9-1-1. Sheppard then came back with a Russian Simonov semi-automatic gun.

Grintals once again went outside and was a short time later shoved to the ground. After getting up, she ran back into the house as several shots rang out in succession. She, her son and his girlfriend ran terrified along the street and took shelter in a neighbor’s back yard, while the family friend hid inside the house.

Second Trial

Sheppard is also facing several other charges including assault, sexual assault, mischief, criminal harassment, intimidation and attempted obstruction relating to another matter.

by Lara Fominoff