Life Sentence Imposed for Fatal 2020 LCBO Shooting Stemming from Social Distancing Argument
In a case that shocked the Toronto community during the pandemic's early months, Michael Roberts has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Jakub "Kuba" Sudomericky outside a Scarborough LCBO store. The tragic incident occurred on October 25, 2020, following a dispute over social distancing protocols that escalated into deadly violence.
Deadly Confrontation Over Pandemic Safety Measures
Seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic, what began as a routine liquor store visit turned fatal when Roberts took exception to being asked to maintain proper distance in line. According to court testimony, Sudomericky told Roberts to "get back" while waiting at the LCBO located at 3111 Danforth Avenue, just east of Victoria Park Avenue. Store employees confirmed they had also requested Roberts to move further away from other customers to comply with public health guidelines.
Surveillance footage captured the brief interaction at the cash register, showing Roberts moving away from Sudomericky as requested. However, rather than accepting the social distancing requirement, Roberts followed the young man out of the store and into the busy parking lot where he produced a concealed, illegal, loaded semi-automatic firearm.
Broad Daylight Shooting and Legal Proceedings
Witnesses reported hearing Sudomericky cry "No, no, no" as he attempted to flee upon seeing the weapon. Roberts, then 23 years old, fired a single shot that struck Sudomericky in the lower back, resulting in fatal injuries. The shooting occurred in broad daylight, shocking patrons and passersby in the normally quiet commercial area.
During his trial, Roberts attempted to plead guilty to manslaughter while claiming self-defense, alleging that Sudomericky had brandished a knife. Superior Court Justice Nola Garton rejected both arguments, convicting Roberts of second-degree murder. The mandatory life sentence carried a minimum parole ineligibility period of ten years, with Justice Jane Kelly determining the exact duration before Roberts could apply for release.
Judgment and Community Impact
Justice Kelly imposed a 14-year parole ineligibility period, describing the murder as "senseless" and "horrific" in her ruling. "This murder was senseless," Kelly stated during sentencing. "A shooting of a stranger in broad daylight in an LCBO parking lot is a shock to our community. No one is immune from gun violence."
The judge acknowledged Roberts' difficult background and experiences with anti-Black racism but emphasized these factors could not diminish the seriousness of taking another person's life. "It is clear from every victim impact statement filed that he was kind, selfless, charismatic and that he will be profoundly missed," Kelly said of Sudomericky. "His absence has left a painful void that is impossible to fill for his community."
Family Trauma and Broader Implications
Victim impact statements revealed the devastating effect on Sudomericky's family and friends, with the judge noting the particular cruelty of the circumstances. "It is unimaginable to deal with the murder of a loved one, but even more so when the circumstances are examined: being shot as the result of a verbal dispute over social distancing," Kelly observed.
The case highlights how pandemic-related tensions sometimes escalated into violence during COVID-19's early stages, while also underscoring ongoing concerns about illegal firearms in Canadian communities. The sentencing serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly ordinary interactions can turn tragic when combined with readily available weapons and simmering tensions.
