North Preston man sentenced to nearly nine years for 2024 Dartmouth drive-by shooting
Trequawn Alvontra Smith, 26, received a net sentence of eight years and 348 days for a February 2024 drive-by shooting in Dartmouth that left 21-year-old Kody Pelrine with severe head injuries requiring brain surgery.
A 26-year-old man from North Preston has been sentenced to a net term of eight years and 348 days in prison for his role in a drive-by shooting in Dartmouth that left a young driver critically injured.
Trequawn Alvontra Smith was sentenced on eight charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, and six weapons offences. The remaining nine charges were stayed as recommended by the Crown. A 10-year sentence was imposed for the main offence of attempted murder, with concurrent sentences for the other seven counts. Six months were deducted due to onerous release conditions, and 197 days were credited for time spent on remand before Smith was granted bail in June 2024.
The sentencing hearing began on Oct. 6, with the Crown seeking 13 to 15 years and the defence arguing for eight years. Judge Jill Hartlen, who delivered the verdict last March finding Smith guilty on all 17 charges, cited his high degree of responsibility, particularly for returning to the scene to fire additional shots. However, she rejected the Crown's argument that the specific act of shooting victim Kody Pelrine was premeditated, stating only three people know why it occurred, though she noted the decision to drive with guns was premeditated.
The shooting took place on Feb. 19, 2024, at approximately 3:10 a.m. at the intersection of Catherine Street and Lahey Road in north-end Dartmouth. Pelrine, 21, was driving to the airport when he was struck in the forehead by a bullet that came through his windshield. He required brain surgery to remove metal fragments from his head and had 37 staples and three stitches across his forehead.
Police recovered two semi-automatic Glock pistols from the vehicle driven by Smith—one under the driver's seat and one under the front passenger seat—along with a 22-round overcapacity magazine and a 12-round overcapacity magazine. Forensic analysis indicated that 11 of 23 expended bullet cartridge cases came from the Glock found under the driver's seat, five from the second handgun, and seven from a third gun.
Judge Hartlen ordered Smith to provide a DNA sample for a national databank and prohibited him from possessing firearms for life.