Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in Cambridge man's 2022 death

A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after the 2022 death of a Cambridge resident.

Sabir Abdellahi appeared in a Kitchener court on Thursday. He was originally charged with second degree murder in the death of 47-year-old Frederick Pfeiffer.

Abdellahi also pleaded guilty to two other charges related to cocaine possession for the purpose of trafficking and possessing a restricted loaded firearm.

Agreed Statement of Facts

As part of the plea, an agreed statement of facts was read in court.

It described how on the evening of December 18, 2022, Frederick Pfeiffer was visiting friends at a rooming house on Wellington Street North in Kitchener. They were hanging out in an open storage area in the basement.

Abdellahi got dropped off at the same building that evening. He went to the basement where he met Pfeiffer who was with two other people.

The agreed statement of facts goes on to say that an argument broke out over whose turf the residence they were at belonged to. Pfeiffer felt one of his friends was being disrespected, and he walked in an aggressive manner towards Abdellahi and made a threat to cause harm.

Abdellahi pulled out a gun and shot Pfeiffer in the head and pelvic area.

Two people witnessed the shooting and said Pfeiffer appeared to be the initial aggressor.

One said Pfeiffer was holding his pocket as though he had a gun in it as he walked towards Abdellahi. The witness went on to tell police, “everyone in the basement had guns.”

Pfeiffer died in hospital the following day.

Abdellahi fled the scene, but was arrested three days later at a plaza on Highland Road West.

He had a loaded handgun, which was matched to the weapon used to kill Pfeiffer. He also had more than $4,600 in Canadian cash, and quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, hydromorphone pills and oxycodone pills on him.

Victim Impact Statements

Pfeiffer’s mother and sister made victim impact statements on Thursday, read into the record by the crown.

Debra Hamill wrote how she used to always get a good night text from her son, and still finds herself waiting for them.

“He was my pride. He would do anything for me. He was always one call away,” she says of Pfeiffer.

Lorraine Pfeiffer described how the loss of her brother turned her life upside down.

“The world keeps going and I stand still,” she wrote.

Abdellahi Addresses Court

When given the opportunity to speak, Abdellahi stood and apologized to Pfeiffer’s family and loved ones.

“I wish I could turn back the clock for all of us and change the outcome of that day, but I can’t,” he said.

He went on to say that there’s nothing he can say that will make things right, “but I can take responsibility for my actions.”

He ended by saying, “I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I’m sorry.”

Abdellahi’s lawyer Brennan Smart said that Abdellahi, now 24-years-old, is from Eritrea and came to Canada as a child. He is a permanent resident and is aware his plea will lead to immigration inquiries, but says Abdellahi is willing to face the hurdles ahead.

“He is resolved that he is going to make good use of his time in custody and try to put this behind him and move on to be a productive member of society,” Smart told court.

Sentence

Justice Paul Sweeny noted Abdellahi’s words during sentencing.

“He has accepted responsibility for his actions. He has expressed his remorse in court,” Sweeny said.

Sweeny accepted a joint submission from the crown and defense, sentencing Abdellahi to a total of 15 years in custody.

Broken down, the sentence is 13 years for manslaughter plus two years for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

A three year sentence for possession of a loaded, restricted firearm will be served concurrently.

Sweeny addressed Abdellahi directly, advising him to make changes to be more prosocial in the future.

“Take the time you have to ensure this happens.”