Victim impact statements, sentencing arguments heard in deadly Faro, Yukon, shooting spree case

A deadly shooting spree in Faro, Yukon, three years ago irrevocably changed the lives of the victims' loved ones, the survivors, and the town itself, a Whitehorse courtroom heard this week. 

Saengduean Honchaiyaphum, 42, and Patrick McCracken, 73, were gunned down by Ralph Bernard Shaw at their homes on Oct. 26, 2021, in a rampage that sent shockwaves across the territory.

Shaw pleaded guilty in Yukon Supreme Court Monday to first-degree murder for killing Honchaiyaphum, his estranged wife, second-degree murder for killing McCracken, and aggravated assault for injuring Honchaiyaphum's partner.

Twenty-one victim impact statements and one community impact statement were filed as part of Shaw's sentencing hearing, with all but two read out in court Monday afternoon into Tuesday. 

Honchaiyaphum, called Sang by friends, was remembered as a loving mother who had just started a new life after separating from Shaw. She had found a new love, a new home and was "unbelievably happy and confident" in her last months, friend Kara Went told the court.

Went had helped Honchaiyaphum leave Shaw in August 2021, and had missed a call from her after Shaw arrived at her home. 

"Sang was ready to embrace her freedom," she said.

"I had to tell two girls that you killed their mother." 

McCracken, meanwhile, was described as a "pillar of the community" who had strong ties to his family in Winnipeg, despite having left for the Yukon decades ago to work in mining. 

Known as "Pat," McCracken was kind, mechanically inclined and had built a plane, a boat and a log home, the court heard. He led a "life dedicated to helping others," always had stories to tell, and doted on his grandchildren. 

One of his granddaughters recalled driving around with him listening to Who Let the Dogs Out, with McCracken barking out the open windows with the song. 

McCracken's wife, Barb, read her statement from the witness stand next to a framed photo of her husband and facing Shaw, who sat with his lawyers and spent much of the proceedings looking down at the defence table. 

"My life was shattered… I lost the love of my life and my best friend," she said.

"Ralph, I hope you rot in jail."