Alberta Avenue arsonist handed 12-year sentence

Christy Morin says life was never the same in Alberta Avenue after the fires began.

The community leader and 31-year resident of the north-central Edmonton neighbourhood stood in court on Friday to address the fallout from a series of arsons throughout 2020 and 2021.

“Every sound outside made us jump. The kids were asking, ‘Is it our turn tonight?’” she said through tears.

“These fires didn’t just burn down our houses — they took our peace.”

Some longtime residents opted to sell their homes and move, and businesses have closed as more people left the neighbourhood, Morin said.

The community impact statement came as the man behind some of the deliberately set fires was sentenced for his role in the unrest.

Darcy Willier, 42, was handed 12 years in prison after being found guilty in a series of arsons, as well as weapons offences related to a sawed-off rifle and ammunition he had when he was arrested.

Willier burned some of the properties himself, or sent associates to ignite the flames, as part of a scheme directed by former inner-city landlord Abdullah Shah.

Shah, also known as Carmen Pervez, was shot and killed outside his south Edmonton home in 2022. 

Court of King’s Bench Justice Nathan Whitling found that the fires were part of a dispute Shah had with another property owner, Gina Cai, and that the aim was to intimidate her and drive down property prices.

Court heard Willier was affiliated with the Redd Alert gang and using crystal methamphetamine at the time of his crimes. He was found responsible for only a few of the dozens of blazes that put the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood on edge.

But Whitling ruled that even though there were many more fires beyond the scope of the trial, Willier “made significant contributions” to the harm and fear that rippled through the community.

“During conversations with undercover officers, Mr. Willier expressed pride in the fires he’d set, expressed no remorse and willingness to set more fires,” the judge said.

No one was injured in any of the fires, but one was set at an occupied three-storey apartment building, and in another case people had to flee the flames that spread from a target house to their neighbouring home.