12-year-old Lethbridge boy, convicted of attempted murder against brother, sentenced

A 12-year-old boy found guilty of attempting to murder his 7-year-old brother was sentenced Wednesday.

LETHBRIDGE - A 12-year-old boy found guilty with the attempted murder of his seven-year-old brother in Lethbridge has been sentenced to a three-year intensive rehabilitative custody and supervision order.

Justice Ryan Anderson accepted the joint submission by the Crown and defence.

The accused, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared in a Lethbridge courtroom via a video link from an Edmonton hospital.

His sentence includes 24 months of secure custody, followed by 12 months under a supervision order.

Crown Prosecutor Lauren Atkinson told the court that the sentence was the maximum allowable time under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Atkinson told the court the sentence is only “for a very serious offence.”

She added that the accused has had multiple mental health diagnosis and is taking interest in moving through the steps to improve his wellbeing.

The charge stems from an incident at the boy’s home on Aug. 27, 2025.

According to an agreed statement of facts, the two brothers were home alone while their father was at the store.

The accused became enraged and wanted to “cause harm” against his brother.

The Crown read that the younger boy ran to a bedroom and hid under a blanket.

The 12-year-old went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and entered the bedroom where he stabbed his brother nine times at random.

The accused then went outside to wait for his father to return home. When he did, the accused told him that his brother “was dead inside.”

Police and EMS responded and transported the victim to hospital.

Because of the extent of his injuries to his face, hand, arm, back and head, he was airlifted to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton for treatment.

According to the agreed statement of facts, the accused had “an urge to act out from voices in his head” and had researched murder prior to the incident.

During sentencing, the Crown withdrew one charge of aggravated assault.