Longueuil Resident Admits Guilt in Fatal Drug Deal Robbery
A 21-year-old Longueuil man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery for killing a convicted drug dealer during an attempted theft in a commuter train station parking lot two years ago. Muwaz Ullah entered his plea on Thursday at the Longueuil courthouse before Quebec Superior Court Justice Lyne Décarie.
Planned "Drug Burn" Leads to Fatal Confrontation
According to evidence presented in court, Ullah and a minor accomplice had been planning to carry out a "drug burn"—a robbery targeting drug dealers—for several days before the fatal incident. Their search eventually led them to 20-year-old Gabriel Lauzier, who was on probation at the time for previous drug and firearm offenses.
Prosecutor Corinne Girard detailed how the minor first contacted Lauzier through Instagram on January 12, 2024. "Gabriel Lauzier said he did not want to sell to someone he never met before," Girard told the court. After an initial unsuccessful meeting attempt, the parties arranged a drug transaction worth $600.
Deadly Struggle in Vehicle
On January 18, 2024, Ullah and the minor met Lauzier at the St-Lambert train station parking lot. Ullah was armed with a firearm while the minor carried a knife. Lauzier arrived in a vehicle accompanied by a friend, and both assailants entered the car.
When Lauzier presented the drugs in a reusable shopping bag, one of the robbers informed him they had no money. This triggered a struggle involving three of the four occupants pulling at the bag containing the drugs.
During the confrontation, Ullah produced his firearm and pointed it at Lauzier. "(Lauzier) doubted it was real," Girard explained. "Gabriel Lauzier tried to grab the firearm from Ullah, but he did not succeed."
Fatal Shooting and Aftermath
Ullah and the minor exited the vehicle, after which Ullah shot Lauzier in the head. The pair fled to the minor's nearby residence while Lauzier was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The prosecutor confirmed that the gunshot wounds to Lauzier's head were the sole cause of death.
Ullah later asked someone to dispose of evidence related to the crime. Both he and the minor were arrested by Longueuil police months after the incident. The minor previously confessed and pleaded guilty in youth court on October 7, 2024, to second-degree murder and armed robbery charges.
Courtroom Apology and Sentencing Recommendations
Addressing the court from the prisoner's dock, Ullah apologized to Lauzier's relatives and friend who were present in the courtroom. "I take responsibility for what happened. Nothing can erase what happened," Ullah stated. He acknowledged heavy drug use at the time of the crime and expressed remorse, saying "I've come to realize I no longer want to be that person. Today, I see the errors I made and the consequences."
Prosecution and defense lawyers jointly recommended Ullah receive a life sentence with parole eligibility after 12 years for the second-degree murder conviction, plus an eight-year sentence for armed robbery. Justice Décarie is scheduled to deliver her sentencing decision on Thursday afternoon.
