An emotional day unfolded in a British Columbia courtroom Tuesday as the man who stabbed a 17-year-old boy to death on a transit bus in Surrey in 2023 was sentenced, prompting anger from the victim’s loved ones.
Kaden Mintenko, 23, who was found guilty of manslaughter, was sentenced to eight years in prison. With credit for time already served in pretrial custody, he has three years and four months left to serve.
Friends and family of the victim, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, expressed shock and frustration at the outcome. The court heard that Mintenko punched the teen near the front of the 503 bus and, while the victim was on the ground, stabbed him in the upper right chest with a seven-inch knife. He could be heard saying, “watch your back.”
Justice Terry Schultes found reasonable doubt about intent, convicting him of manslaughter instead of second-degree murder. Sentencing was delayed for more than a year while the court assessed Mintenko’s cognitive ability and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Psychological reports indicated he is at high risk to reoffend with violence. The victim’s loved ones described ongoing trauma and grief. If Mintenko serves the remainder of his sentence, he is expected to be released from federal prison in 2029.