Pubdate: Wed, 30 Mar 2011
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Jennifer Saltman, The Province

'DRUG LIFESTYLE' LED MAN TO VIOLENT CRIMES, JUDGE SAYS

A young man who used to deal and consume drugs has been jailed for
more than nine years after pleading guilty to attempted murder and
pointing a firearm.

B.C. Provincial Court Judge Peder Gulbransen sitting in Surrey said
Tuesday in his reasons for sentence that 21-year-old Samuel Chand's
involvement in the "drug lifestyle" led him to commit the two violent
offences.

On April 12, 2010, Chand was under the influence and "in a very
dangerous state of mind" when he drove to a gas station on Scott Road
in Surrey and got into a verbal altercation with a person who was
paying for gas.

Chand called the man a "white piece of sh--t" before going to his car
to get a gun. Chand pointed the gun at the man's chest and asked, "Are
you ready to die?" Chand didn't fire the weapon and drove away.
Gulbransen said the victim was "terrified, shocked and severely
traumatized."

A short time later, Chand arrived at the home of the parents of a
low-level drug dealer in Surrey. Chand had a grudge with the dealer.
Chand fired shots through the window of his car at the vehicle the
dealer and his dad were in. No one was injured.  
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