Chance encounter of rivals at Calgary 7-Eleven led to fatal stabbing, judge hears in manslaughter plea

A chance encounter by two rivals in a 7-Eleven parking lot led to the fatal stabbing of a 27-year-old man, a Calgary judge heard Tuesday.

Originally charged with the second-degree murder of Justin Applegarth, Shay Vincent Saddleback pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday afternoon.

Details of the May 10, 2020, killing come from an agreed statement of facts prepared by prosecutor Rose Greenwood and defence lawyer Andrea Urquhart.

On that day, Applegarth was driving with his wife and her two nephews when they stopped at a 7-eleven in the southeast community of Penbrooke Meadows.

Saddleback 'so drunk,' witness said

Applegarth pulled into the parking lot beside what was later determined to be Saddleback's vehicle.

Both were from Maskwacis, in central Alberta, and were affiliated with rival groups in the community.

Applegarth got out of his vehicle to go into the store, but Saddleback was already outside and the two began fighting.

The 21-year-old nephew of the victim's wife got out of the car and watched as Saddleback pulled a switchblade and stabbed Applegarth.

The nephew later told police that Saddleback was "so drunk" at the time.

When the police asked what the fight was about, the nephew said, "He was just so drunk. He was just so drunk," referring to Saddleback.

Applegarth's wife also got out of the car and told the two men to stop fighting.

"Let's go," she said.

Applegarth got into the passenger seat of the car and said he'd been stabbed.

He died within minutes.

2 stab wounds

A medical examiner's report later found that Applegarth had been stabbed in the neck and upper shoulder, hitting a major blood vessel.

He also suffered a stab wound to his abdomen, which damaged his liver.

The day after Applegarth was killed, warrants were issued for Saddleback. He was arrested in Edmonton on May 16, 2020.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Glen Poelman will hear sentencing submissions next month.