Final suspect in 2020 Gatineau murder sentenced to life in prison

An Ottawa man who was found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of man in Gatineau, Que., in 2020 has been sentenced tolife in prisonwith no chance of parole for 25 years.

Wally-Issaya Laguerre-Lamarre wasthe fourth suspect charged in the death of 31-year-old Ryan Bracken, who was shot to death in Gatineau's Hull sector on Dec. 11, 2020.

In Gatineau onTuesday, JudgeFranois Dadourdescribed how Bracken was shot in the head near his tattoo studio on rue Eddy.

"Ryan Bracken was a young adult, father of a 6-year-old daughter and stepfather of a 13-year-old daughter. They will be deprivedfor the rest of their livesof a father figure," Dadour said during sentencing.

Laguerre-Lamarre was the last of the four suspects to receive his sentence.The other three pleaded guilty to related charges.

Isahiah Mballa-Paulotteand Donte Malik Strachanremainbehind bars for about seven and two years respectively, whileTyann Strachanwas released on probationafter serving a 630-day sentence.

For Bracken's motherVirginia Jakutavicius, Tuesday's sentencemarks the end of a difficult process that began with her son's death nearly four years ago.

"Every person is responsible for their actions," Jakutavicius wrote in a statementread in court by the Crown. "No sentence is going to bring my son back."

She also wishedLaguerre-Lamarre"the courage to move forward for his own good."

Laguerre-Lamarre also made a brief speech, apologizing to Jakutaviciusfor her loss and mentioning his own sons who will also be deprived of their father as a result of his actions.

He also said the verdict was unfair.