Ancaster man who shot himself in Brantford sent to prison
A search of the man's home turned up a complete firearm and seven 3-D printed firearm frames, along with a bag of components that are used to manufacture so-called ghost guns, which are untraceable.
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Brantford Police were quick to arrest the shooter after an incident on Sympatica Crescent in August, 2023.
A man shot in the leg gave officers a description of a vehicle and the person who shot at him, then he was transferred to a Hamilton hospital.
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But those investigating the scene found evidence there had been no drive-by shooting.
Instead, they arrested the wounded Ancaster man, Tekay Silver, 23, for shooting himself in the leg and went on to find illegal firearms and drugs at his home.
A search of Silver’s home turned up a complete firearm and seven 3-D printed firearm frames, along with a bag of components that are used to manufacture so-called ghost guns, which are untraceable.
Police also found ammo and prohibited gun magazines and a large quantity of suspected fentanyl.
Silver was held in custody until his recent trial.
He pleaded guilty last year to possession of a prohibited loaded weapon, possession of a firearm, careless use of a firearm and possession of fentanyl for trafficking and came to court for sentencing recently.
“He discharged a firearm into his own leg,” said his defence attorney, Cristina Valeri.
“Obviously that’s an aggravating feature but perhaps it’s also a collateral consequence.”
Valeri said Silver’s leg wound landed him in a jail infirmary for three weeks where he didn’t get the best treatment or pain medications, leaving him with a limp.
But, she added, he came to court with a positive pre-sentence report that showed him eager to turn his life around once out of custody.
It wasn’t the first time Silver had been shot.
When he was 15, said Valeri, he was shot in the back, suffering a punctured lung.
“The person was never arrested. He still has fragments near his heart that cause chest pain and it led to some addiction issues.”
Valeri said Silver had a firearm for protection but was seeking a new life as a father of two young children.
She and the Crown presented a joint submission for Silver to get more than two years of credit for the time he had already served and be sentenced to a further 47 months in prison.
Federal prosecutor Kevin McGilly pointed out that the “toxic combination of guns and drugs” is a serious problem.
“In Brantford, all you have to do is go downtown to see homeless people suffering from drug addiction. It’s not like Toronto where, based on population, it’s hidden better.”
Justice Paul Sweeny said Silver, who had been living with his family in his mom’s basement, has family support, has taken steps to address his addiction and is a very youthful offender.
But, Sweeny pointed out, fentanyl is “wreaking havoc” in the community and the gun and gun products Silver had were concerning.
He agreed to the six-year sentence and put Silver on a weapons prohibition for the rest of his life.
“You have two young children,” the judge told Silver.
“Complete your education and maintain your sobriety so you can be there for your children and contribute to society.”
SGamble@postmedia.com
@EXPSGamble
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