Sam Jafroudi receives life sentence in 2019 homicide of Robel Abera in New Westminster

SAM Jafroudi has been sentenced to life in prison following his trial in relation to the 2019 homicide of Robel Abera at Hume Park in New Westminster.

On April 27, 2019, at 7:33 p.m., New Westminster Police responded to reports of shots fired at Hume Park, located in the 600-block of East Columbia Street. A male victim, identified as 20-year-old Robel Abera, was located deceased at the scene.

A suspect, identified as 19-year-old Sam Jafroudi, was later arrested in a residence near the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the investigation and worked closely in partnership with the New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) and the Integrated Forensic Identification Section (IFIS).

On April 28, 2019, a charge of second-degree murder was laid by the British Columbia Prosecution Service (BCPS) and Jafroudi was remanded into custody.

On December 13, 2021, following the conclusion of trial, Jafroudi was found guilty of the murder of Abera.

On September 2, 2022, Jafroudi was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for a period of 12 years.

“A significant amount of effort went into this investigation by our partners at IHIT as well as the members of our department,” said New Westminster Police Sgt. Justine Thom. “We hope this guilty verdict and sentence helps the friends and family of Mr. Abera find some degree of closure.”