Alberta man faces 18 months for randomly assaulting three strangers in Vancouver. Crown pushes for jail time; sentencing decision pending.
Alberta Man Faces Jail for Unprovoked Vancouver Attacks
An Alberta man who randomly assaulted strangers on Vancouver streets could face 18 months behind bars, as Crown prosecutors made their sentencing pitch in court on Monday.
Zachary Shettell, who pleaded guilty to a string of unprovoked assaults last November, appeared in a Vancouver courtroom where the Crown argued for consecutive sentences totaling a year and a half, plus two months of probation. His lawyer, however, is seeking a lighter penalty, citing time already served and Shettell’s intent to reform.
Assaults Spanned Five Days in Downtown Vancouver
The attacks took place over a five-day period in late November 2023 at multiple downtown locations.
According to Crown prosecutor Christine Lusk, the assaults were unrelated and occurred on separate days. The first incident happened on November 24 outside the Fairmont Hotel, where Shettell punched a 35-year-old man without warning. On November 25, he assaulted a 29-year-old on West Pender Street. Three days later, he struck a 28-year-old man outside The Bay on West Georgia Street, knocking him to the ground.
“These weren’t spontaneous reactions. They were distinct and deliberate acts of violence against unsuspecting individuals,” Lusk told the court.
Additional Offences and Criminal Record Revealed
Shettell also admitted to two additional incidents: an assault on a bank teller and the theft of a high-end vest.
He pleaded guilty to pouring coffee on a TD Canada Trust bank teller during a dispute, damaging both the teller and their computer. He also confessed to stealing an $850 Canada Goose vest from Holt Renfrew. For these offences, the Crown requested 60- and 30-day sentences, to be served concurrently with the assault penalties.
Court documents revealed Shettell has a criminal record spanning 27 convictions, with 20 for breaching court orders and three for previous assaults.
Defence Cites Mental State and Guilty Plea
Defence lawyer Jason Hemmerling argued for leniency, stating his client was in a mentally fragile state.
Hemmerling told the court Shettell had been recently robbed, was abusing drugs, and felt isolated during his time in Vancouver. He stressed that Shettell’s early guilty plea and willingness to rebuild his life in Alberta—through construction work and education—should weigh in his favour.
“There really is no explanation for these offences,” Lusk countered. “We’re fortunate the injuries weren’t greater.”
Final Decision Pending from the Court
The judge has reserved her decision, and a sentencing outcome will be delivered at a later date.
If the Crown’s recommendation is accepted, Shettell would serve just under eight additional months in jail, accounting for the ten months he’s already spent in custody.
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