Life sentence for 2019 New Westminster homicide accused

FILE - Police lights. (iStock Photo)

By Charlie Carey

Posted September 8, 2022 9:32 pm.

Last Updated September 8, 2022 9:33 pm.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Unit (IHIT) confirmed Thursday that the man accused in the 2019 New Westminster murder has been sentenced to life.

Sam Jafroudi received the life sentence Sept. 2 in relation to the homicide of Robel Abera at Hume Park in April of that year.

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At about 7:30 p.m. on April 27, gunfire rang out at Hume Park on East Columbia Street. When New West police officers arrived, they found 20-year-old Robel Kinfe Abera had been shot to death.

A suspect, identified as then 19-year-old Sam Jafroudi, was later arrested in a residence near the scene.

“A significant amount of effort went into this investigation by our partners at IHIT as well as the members of our department,” Sgt. Justine Thom of NWPD said. “We hope this guilty verdict and sentence helps the friends and family of Mr. Abera find some degree of closure.”

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