Duane Squires recalls a moment from the past year when his oldest son misplaced a Jibbitz shoe charm from his Crocs. Squires, a detective constable with the Saint John Police Force, and his wife accompanied their son to the suspected location of the lost charm. The incident deeply affected them as it was one of the few tangible reminders their son had of a friend who tragically lost his life.
The friend, a 10-year-old basketball teammate, was fatally stabbed alongside his 17-year-old brother by their father, Roman Kamyshnyy. Following the devastating event, the basketball team honored the youngest victim by creating Jibbitz and stickers for their water bottles with his jersey number.
In a court statement, Squires described the emotional turmoil of searching for the lost charm, highlighting its significance to his son. Kamyshnyy was later found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of the boys. The court revealed that Kamyshnyy committed the heinous act as an act of vengeance against his ex-wife following their recent divorce.
Despite Kamyshnyy’s claims of memory loss regarding the incident, he was sentenced to two concurrent life terms without parole for 25 years. The sentencing, though mandated by law, drew attention to the profound impact of the murders on the victims’ families, co-workers, and the community at large.
The tragedy left an indelible mark on many, including Squires, who described the heart-wrenching moment of recognizing the youngest victim’s lifeless body. The loss of innocence and the profound impact on the family were further detailed in victim impact statements submitted by Squires and his wife.
The devastating event also reverberated through the Saint John High School community, where the loss of the teenage victim was deeply felt. School counselor Mary Ashton highlighted the emotional toll on students and staff, emphasizing the need for ongoing support to cope with the trauma.
The impact of the murders extended beyond immediate responders, affecting the wider community and challenging the sense of safety and security in Saint John. Lawyer Mel Norton, representing the victims’ mother, acknowledged the shock and grief that permeated the city, emphasizing the need to reinforce commitments to protect children, support families, and foster a sense of community unity in the face of tragedy.