Canadians, as a collective, have leaned heavily to the political left for decades. So far left, in fact, that they’ve willingly voted to surrender core personal freedoms—including bodily autonomy—to the federal government. In authoritarian countries like China, such decisions are expected. But in Canada, a democratic country where people have the right to choose their leadership, it’s baffling that voters would voluntarily support such overreach.
Now consider the multicultural landscape Canada has cultivated. With mass immigration comes the integration of various cultural norms—many of which conflict with traditional Canadian values. That reality became central to the defense of an Iraqi Canadian teenager, who fatally shot another teen, a Black Canadian, and was acquitted on the grounds of self-defense. He cited his upbringing and cultural conditioning as justification for why he feared for his life in the moment.
To many ordinary Canadians, the verdict might sound like common sense. After all, if a would-be attacker suspected their victim might respond with deadly force, wouldn’t that act as a deterrent to crime? That’s what some are asking themselves.
Just like in the United States, demographics and cultural values impact crime rates in Canada. And while crime exists across all racial groups, certain communities do have higher concentrations of violent incidents. Canadians are free to vote for the kind of society they want—but the real issue is this: Are law-abiding citizens allowed to defend themselves with lethal force when genuinely threatened?
Because if the answer is “no,” then not only is that dangerous, but it also fuels unnecessary racial and social tension. Ironically, many of those who claim to fight for “justice” seem less interested in public safety and more concerned with defending political narratives.
This particular self-defense case happened in Toronto—one of Canada’s most progressive and restrictive cities. In truth, this verdict signals a kind of quiet secession from the rigid legal framework that usually discourages any form of armed self-defense. Progressives regularly pick and choose when to enforce laws—a form of ideological secession in itself—yet when conservatives advocate for autonomy, they’re labeled as extremists.
Meanwhile, Christians, especially on the political right, have become passive—waiting for permission from the very people dismantling their freedoms. Let’s be clear: Jesus Christ was not a pacifist in the modern sense. His mission was spiritual redemption, but He also challenged corrupt systems with boldness and truth.
Modern church leaders, however, have become timid—afraid of backlash, afraid of prison, afraid of standing for what is right. When secular governments push authoritarian policies, too many Christians remain silent. But historically, Christianity was never meant to be passive in the face of tyranny. We’re not called to be doormats for secular ideologies rooted in ever-changing moral relativism.
Now, let’s return to the case at hand.
Background: What Happened?
A Toronto jury recently acquitted a 20-year-old man of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Jefferson Guerrier. The incident occurred on Halloween in 2022 outside a high school near Markham Road and Highway 401. The accused was 17 at the time and claimed he acted in self-defense, firing four shots after Guerrier allegedly lunged at him with a knife.
One stray bullet struck the shooter’s own brother, but the jury also acquitted him of reckless injury. The entire event was captured on a student’s cellphone and quickly gained public attention.
The shooter, tried under Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act, had his identity protected. During the trial, he testified that he believed Guerrier was armed and that he feared for his life. He explained his mindset by referencing his upbringing in Iraq, saying:
“It made me think, OK, my neighbourhood is not as safe and not as stable as I thought… like Iraq.”
According to his testimony, a previous shooting incident and neighborhood tensions made him feel unsafe. A friend eventually gave him the weapon used in the shooting.
The Crown prosecution argued that Guerrier was attempting to disarm the teen, not attack him. But the jury sided with the defense, noting the teen’s fear, cultural background, and perception of threat as critical factors.
He remains in custody for a separate firearm-related charge.
Key Legal Questions Remain
There are still critical unanswered questions. In Canada, the legal age to obtain a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) is 18. Anyone younger must have a minor’s license and be supervised by an adult. So how did this 17-year-old gain access to a firearm?
- Was the gun legally acquired?
- Where did he get the ammunition?
- Was anyone held accountable for supplying him with the weapon?
Canada has strict gun laws. While illegal firearms are relatively easy to obtain on the black market, the fact that this case involved a minor in possession of a deadly weapon raises serious concerns.
A Broader Conversation on Race and Silence
There’s also an uncomfortable silence from the Black Canadian community regarding this case. Had the roles been reversed—had a white or Black teen shot an immigrant—would the public reaction have been the same?
In truth, the Canadian legal system tends to go softer on offenders from certain backgrounds. While law-abiding citizens go through strict checks to own a firearm, others bypass the system entirely—and in some cases, are given leniency when caught.
This disparity is what fuels public frustration. And it’s what leads many Canadians to question whether their government is truly working to protect them—or simply playing politics with justice.
Final Thought
The Canadian government is rapidly losing control of the narrative. While the shooter may still face separate gun charges, such charges often result in minimal penalties. The real issue at stake here is the right to self-defense, and whether Canadians will finally demand stronger protections for personal safety.
The current system treats lawful self-preservation as an afterthought. That needs to change.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today. In a world full of shifting values and deceptive systems, He remains the unchanging truth.
initial headline of story: “Teen charged with 2nd-degree murder in fatal shooting outside Scarborough high school”
initial headline of story: “Police ID victim fatally shot outside Toronto high school, students shocked”
