No parole chance for 40 years for 'cold-blooded' Calgary killer who executed 2 men

An "extremely dangerous and violent" murderer who executed two men in a Superstore parking lot in southeast Calgary has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 40 years.

"Christian Ouellette is a cold-blooded and … unrepentant murderer," Court of Queen's Bench Justice Earl Wilson said in a Calgary court Thursday.

In April, Ouellette, 23, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Colin Reitberger and second-degree murder for the death of Anees Amr.

Both men were shot in Superstore parking lot at 130th Avenue S.E. on May 21, 2017, after Ouellette made arrangements to meet up with his intended target, Reitberger. 

"It was an ambush," said Wilson.

• Chopper video of men gunned down in Superstore parking lot too much for father of victim

Amr was killed because he was with Reitberger, shot as he ran away from the gunfire. 

"[Ouellette] cooly and deliberately gunned him down."

For at least a month before the killings, Ouellette told people he planned to murder Reitberger. 

"He was bound and determined to kill Reitberger. Nothing deflected him from his task," said Wilson. 

It's still unclear why Ouellette wanted to kill Reitberger and what the source of his animosity was toward the victim.

Ouellette's co-accused said he believed the murderer was simply motivated to "get his notch," meaning he wanted to get his first kill under his belt.

Wilson noted that every single bullet fired struck the two victims. Ten in total.

Killer's attitude 'chilling' 

The judge called the killer "callous, violent and anti-social," detailing the shocking ease with which Ouellette has been able to carry out violence against anyone who offends him.

Meanwhile, Ouellette, appearing over closed-circuit television, stretched and rolled his eyes. 

The judge said Ouellette's rehabilitative prospects "are, to be kind, bleak," pointing out the offender has showed no remorse and no empathy.

Wilson noted that within an hour of the killings, Ouellette was in a taxi, joking and chatting with the driver. The fact he'd just executed two people seemed to have no impact on his mood. 

"He acted like this was just an ordinary day in an ordinary life of an ordinary man," said the judge. 

"I found it chilling."

Co-accused still to be sentenced

Prosecutor Katherine Love had asked the judge to impose a 40-year parole ineligibility.

Defence lawyer Balfour Der proposed the minimum 25-year period. 

Key evidence from the trial included a confession: Ouellette told a friend he had shot the two men. 

Ouellette was on bail at the time he committed the murders.

Blais Delaire was also convicted in the killings.

He was found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the death of Reitberger and will be sentenced at a later date. 

Delaire encouraged Ouellette and helped him buy the gun used in the killing.