‘Ethan saw the good in everyone’: Victim’s family, friends share grief at killer’s sentencing hearing

Sentencing is underway for the convicted killer in Banff's first homicide in 30 years. It's been a painful ordeal for family and friends of the victim.

More than two dozen victim impact statements were read or submitted for Banff murder victim Ethan Enns-Goneau.

A common sentiment shared was how scared people are to go out at night after Enns-Goneau was stabbed to death on Aug. 5, 2022.

In September, 25-year-old John Christopher Arrizza was convicted of his second-degree murder.

Enns-Goneau’s partner, Lori Pieters, had her victim impact statement read out in court.

“He (Arrizza) not only robbed us of a partner, son, brother and friend, but he robbed the residents of Banff of a sense of security and safety when we go out at night.”

Banff’s Mayor Corrie DiManno had a submission in which she called Enns-Goneau’s death the darkest day in the town’s history.

Friends, family, coworkers and those who knew Ethan shared what his passing meant to them in court on Monday.

“Ethan saw the good in everyone, and everything he did was laced with kindness, understanding and compassion,” said Pieters.

“Our lives have been turned upside down. Our loss is immeasurable. Forever, I will miss my son Ethan. There is a hole in my chest where my heart used to be,” his father, Mark Goneau, read out.

Gloria Enns, Enns-Goneau’s mother, shared his compassionate and kind side with the courtroom.

“You were such a bright light in the world, and we are all trying to carry that light forward.”

His brother, Riley Enns-Goneau, had his statement read out by a Bow Valley victim services member.

“He was an innocent person lost too soon to a senseless act of violence, and it will be pain I carry for the rest of my life.”

Enns-Goneau was killed outside the Dancing Sasquatch washroom in the early morning hours of Aug. 5, 2022.

Previously in court, CCTV footage showed Arrizza stabbing Enns-Goneau three times—twice in the chest and once in the abdomen—after being forcefully pushed outside the nightclub washroom and into a basement hallway with his back turned and pants down.

The court was told Arrizza had an altered mind due to days of drug and alcohol use.

He gave his own statement on Monday, sharing his regret and apologizing to everyone who loved Ethan.

“He will serve whatever time, but it will never be enough in my eyes,” Enns-Goneau’s mother said in her impact statement.

A second-degree murder conviction carries a life sentence, or 25 years in prison, with a minimum of 10 years served before a chance of parole.

The Crown and defence are proposing a minimum of 12 years before parole.

Sentencing resumes on Tuesday.