Multiple trial dates set for accused in shootings

Man had been ordered to remain out of Peterborough when second incident happened

New trial dates have been set for a Quebec man accused of shooting a man last summer while he was supposed to be attending court in Peterborough in connection with firearm charges dating back to the winter of 2021.

Shaka Sarpey-Birch, 20, appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on Wednesday virtually over Zoom from the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, where he’s being held awaiting trial on several charges stemming from separate incidents in Peterborough.

In February 2021, city police were called to the TVM Manor apartment building on McDonnel Street after police say a man called about another man threatening him and a woman with a firearm.

Officers, including heavily armed members of the emergency response team, went to the scene and the man surrendered without incident, police said, adding that a loaded gun was located during the investigation.

Sarpey-Birch was charged with several firearms offences and held in custody after a lengthy bail hearing in March 2021, when justice of the peace Douglas Clark denied him his release and issued a detention order to keep him behind bars.

However, the Quebec man was later granted a new bail hearing and was released to sureties with a lengthy release order.

Sarpy-Birch’s conditions required him to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and to remain in his home in Quebec at all times unless in the presence of sureties. He was also not allowed in Peterborough, except for pre-scheduled court appearances.

Sarpy-Birch was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on July 11, 2022 for a judge-alone trial in connection to his February charges, but the accused was a noshow and a warrant was issued for his arrest on that day.

Meanwhile, city police were investigating a shooting on Dalhousie Street. A man was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre,

Sarpy-Birch’s conditions required him to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and to remain in his home in Quebec at all times

but later transferred via air ambulance to a Toronto hospital, police said at the time.

On July 29, police announced an arrest in connection with the shooting investigation after Montreal police, acting on a Canadawide warrant, arrested a 19-yearold.

Sarpy-Birch was charged with a handful of firearm charges and attempted murder.

On Wednesday, trial dates were confirmed for the February charges. Sarpy-Birch will have a two-day trial in the Ontario Court of Justice in May.

The attempted murder trial will be held in front of a judge and jury in the Superior Court of Justice in June.