Dozens of people packed a courtroom in Vancouver Wednesday for a sentencing hearing for the man who killed one person and sent six others to the hospital in a March 2021 knife attack in North Vancouver.
In May, Yannick Bandaogo pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, five charges of attempted murder and one charge of aggravated assault in connection with the incident, which took place in and around the Lynn Valley Library.
This hearing was the first opportunity for the victims to speak directly to their attacker, and some were brought to tears when he entered the court.
The court heard from a mother and father who lost their daughter in the stabbing spree — the lone death in the attack.
As the mother spoke, the father turned and stared directly at Bandaogo.
The mother described her daughter as fearless and gentle, saying her death has left them with no home and left only to merely exist.
The court also heard from a woman who lost her left eye in the attack, who described how she was waiting for her daughter’s band practice to end when her life changed forever.
“Fear, guilt, anger, depression are all consuming of my daily life,” she told the court.
“I used to tell my kids to go out into the word and don’t fear people no matter what walks of life they’re from. I can no longer live by what I once preached. I’m scared.”
Another victim descried walking towards library when she saw people running, but didn’t realize gravity of the situation until Bandaogo pushed her into a fence, knocked her down, and stabbed her repeatedly.
“(I) never imagined the thought that I’m dying would cross my mind at 22, or that I would ever face a threat in my small quiet community of Lynn Valley,” she said.
Bandaogo had no connection to the victims and a motive has not yet been revealed.
Second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence in prison but the question of when Bandaogo will be eligible for parole is still to be debated.
The judge will ultimately decide when he’ll be able to apply for parole, which could be in as little as 10 years, or as long as 25.
Bandaogo has links to Quebec and has a criminal record with a history of violence in that province, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
There were five female victims and one male victim, ranging from 22 years old to 78 years old. One of the women later died from her injuries.
About half a dozen victim impact statements are expected to be heard during the course of the hearing.
This sentencing hearing is scheduled to continue through Friday.