In a courtroom filled with tension yesterday, a Sudbury man received his sentence after pleading guilty to obstructing justice in connection with a shocking grocery store shooting that stunned the local community last year. Tremayne Piwut, 28, admitted to providing false information to police investigators following the violent incident at a Food Basics store that left one man with serious injuries.
The shooting, which occurred on April 3, 2023, at the Lasalle Boulevard Food Basics location, erupted when what appeared to be a chance encounter between two groups escalated into violence. According to court documents, Piwut was among those present during the altercation but was not directly responsible for discharging the firearm.
“This case represents a troubling example of how quickly public spaces can become dangerous when conflicts spill into everyday settings,” Justice Lawrence Klein stated during the proceedings at the Sudbury Courthouse.
Crown prosecutor Terry Waltenbury detailed how Piwut deliberately misled investigators in the crucial hours after the shooting. “The defendant’s decision to provide false information significantly hampered the initial investigation at a time when public safety was at risk,” Waltenbury explained to the court.
The obstruction charge stems from Piwut’s statements to police, which investigators later determined were fabricated to protect others involved in the incident. Court records indicate he initially claimed no knowledge of the shooter’s identity, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
For his actions, Piwut received a 90-day intermittent sentence to be served on weekends, followed by two years of probation. The relatively lenient sentence reflects his eventual cooperation with authorities and lack of prior criminal history related to violent offenses.
Defense attorney Glenn Sandberg emphasized his client’s remorse, noting that “Mr. Piwut recognizes the gravity of his actions and the potential consequences of obstructing a serious criminal investigation.” Sandberg added that his client has taken significant steps toward rehabilitation since the incident.
The case has drawn attention from community safety advocates who express concern about rising tensions and occasional violence in public spaces across Northern Ontario. Statistics from the Greater Sudbury Police Service indicate a 12% increase in weapons-related incidents in commercial areas over the past three years.
The main shooting suspect, Devin Sywyk, 26, still faces multiple charges including aggravated assault, discharge of a firearm with intent, and various weapons offenses. His case continues to move through the judicial system with a preliminary hearing scheduled for next month.
As this case progresses through the courts, questions remain about what measures might prevent similar incidents in the future. Can enhanced security measures in public spaces effectively balance accessibility with safety, or does the solution lie deeper in addressing the root causes of violent confrontations in our communities?
