Terror Squad Gang Member Convicted of Killing Casino Winner

A gang member accused of the attempted robbery and fatal shooting after a home invasion of one casino winner in North Battleford, Canada, was recently sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison. The offender, whose name was not released as he wasn’t even 18 at the time of the killing, agreed to be sentenced as an adult earlier this year.

The young man was involved in the shooting of Ryan Gatzke, a 27-year-old man. The incident dates back to October 18, 2019, when the young offender, together with three other co-accomplices invaded Gatzke’s home.

According to the investigation, the group had been tipped off that the 27-year-old man had won money at a casino in North Battleford and also had drugs in his home. However, as the group entered Gatzke’s home to rob him, the young offender shot the victim fatally as he was trying to protect his fiancé who was six months pregnant with his child.

The shocking crime resulted in sentences for all members who participated. Most recently, last week, the 17-year-old culprit, recognized as a member of the infamous Terror Squad street gang, was handed a 9.5-year prison sentence, Sask Today announces. At the time of the killing, the culprit was five months from his 18th birthday.

Previously, the juvenile offender faced charges for crimes a few months before the murder. He was prohibited by the court from possessing any firearms. If the culprit was trialed as a youth, he would’ve faced a maximum sentence of up to three years for manslaughter. However, a trial as an adult carries a sentence of between four and 12 years in prison.

All Four Co-offenders Received Sentences

Battleford Court of King’s Bench handed the 9.5-year prison sentence to the young offender on Friday. Concurrent with his sentence for manslaughter, the offender was sentenced to six years for breaking and entering with the intention to commit an offense, as well as one year for possessing a firearm while not permitted. Considering that he has spent nearly six years in prison so far, the offender will have some three and a half years to serve from his sentence.

Three other individuals involved in the cold-blooded crime were already sentenced. Back in March 2022, a man identified with the initials C.M. was handed a four-year prison sentence for manslaughter.

Then, a man with the initials I.M., who was initially charged with second-degree murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a 12-year prison in February last year. Another participant in the crime, with the initials J.B., also faced second-degree murder charges. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years in prison last June.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Jennifer Schmidt spoke about the exceptional efforts of the RCMP Major Crimes Unit which enabled the prosecution to build a strong case against the culprits. She explained that the young murderer, who was recently sentenced, was identified as Gatzke’s shooter. “He went in there and he was prepared to shoot and he did, and he killed someone. He was principal in the act of robbing Gatzke and he was principal in shooting and killing him,” explained Schmidt.

She spoke about the young man’s affiliation with the Terror Squad street gang, explaining that he is “entrenched in the gang and has no motivation to change.” Schmidt spoke about the young man saying that there’s a high risk for him to commit other offenses and shows no responsibility or remorse for his actions.