Man sentenced to life in prison for unprovoked Banff bar stabbing

The man convicted of killing 26-year-old Ethan Enns-Goneau at a Banff bar three years ago has been handed a life sentence. 

John Christopher Arrizza will have to serve 12 years in prison before he can seek parole.

The fatal stabbing happened at the Dancing Sasquatch in the mountain town on Aug. 5, 2022.

Court heard the victim arrived at the bar at around 1:30 a.m. and headed straight to the bathroom in the basement.

Security footage shows that about a minute later, the victim was being pushed out of the bathroom by 24-year-old Arrizza, who stabbed him numerous times with a hunting knife. 

The attack was described as unprovoked, and the men were unknown to each other prior to the incident.

Bouncers stepped in and Enns-Goneau collapsed on the floor. He died soon after from his injuries. An autopsy determined Enns-Goneau was stabbed eight times before being shoved out of the restroom.

During the trial, Arrizza's lawyer, Katherin Beyak, argued that her client was intoxicated at the time of the stabbing. She asked the jury to acquit him on the charge of murder.

Arrizza was found guilty of second-degree murder following a nine-hour jury deliberation on Sept. 20, 2024.

'You didn't even know him,' said victim's mother 

Twenty-six victim impact statements were submitted to Justice Robert Hall.

Family, friends and colleagues of Ethan Enns-Goneau described their trauma and gave tearful recollections of their time with Ethan, whom they affectionately call Sweet Baby E.

"I am tortured by the cruel way you were killed, and all the life you never got to live. It is so unfair. You are gone forever but there is no such timeline for the man who killed you. He will serve whatever time but it will never be enough in my eyes. You didn't even know him," said Gloria Enns-Goneau.

She told the court that her son was a kind, old soul who would go out of his way to help anyone.

A statement from Lori Ann Peters, the victim's partner, was read in court by the Crown.

"Every hope, every dream, every plan and every goal you had for a life with this person is ripped from your hands. How do you begin to articulate that? I've lost a lot of people in my life, friends, family, even my own father, but nothing could have prepared me for losing my life partner. I've cried more these two and a half years than anyone should in a lifetime," said Peters.

Arrizza had 14 reference letters submitted on his behalf. During the sentencing hearing, the Crown and defence proposed a 12-year parole ineligibility period.

Justice Hall sentenced Arrizza to life imprisonment and agreed with the joint submission on parole. He will be eligible for parole in 12 years.

Arrizza also received a weapons ban.