Duane Squires recounts a moment from the previous year when his oldest son misplaced a Jibbitz shoe charm from his Crocs, leading to a heartfelt search with his family. In a poignant victim impact statement submitted to the Court of King’s Bench, Squires, a detective constable at the Saint John Police Force, shared the emotional significance of the lost charm. To his son, it represented a precious connection to a friend who tragically lost his life.
The friend, a 10-year-old basketball teammate, and his 17-year-old brother were fatally stabbed by their father, Roman Kamyshnyy. Following the devastating incident on January 29, 2025, the basketball team commemorated the youngest victim by creating Jibbitz and stickers bearing his jersey number for their water bottles.
After a jury found Kamyshnyy guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in June, Justice Darrell Stephenson delivered the sentencing. The court revealed that Kamyshnyy’s motive behind the heinous act was rooted in seeking vengeance against his ex-wife following their recent divorce.
Despite Kamyshnyy’s claims of memory loss regarding the events, the court sentenced him to two concurrent life sentences without parole for 25 years. This decision, mandated by the Criminal Code, prompted powerful written statements from individuals impacted by the tragedy, illustrating the profound repercussions on their lives.
Duane Squires, reflecting on the profound impact as both a police officer and a father, described the heart-wrenching moment of identifying the youngest victim, his son’s friend, at the crime scene. The tragedy deeply affected the Squires family, altering their perception of safety and security.
Sara, Duane’s wife and the team manager, penned a victim impact statement expressing the overwhelming fear and insecurity that engulfed their household after the loss of innocence following A.B.’s death. The family continues to grapple with the absence of the young victim, especially during basketball games, where his vibrant presence is sorely missed.
The tragic events reverberated throughout the Saint John High School community, leaving a lasting impact on students, staff, and counselors. The abrupt loss of C.D., a beloved student, created a wave of shock and grief, necessitating a comprehensive crisis response to provide emotional support to those affected.
Lead investigator Det. Const. David MacDonald also bore the emotional toll of the case, seeking counseling to cope with the profound impact of the children’s violent deaths and the callousness of the offender’s actions. The community, including first responders and justice officials, grappled with the incomprehensible nature of the murders, which shook the city’s collective conscience.
The murders not only shattered the sense of security in the community but also underscored the importance of protecting children, supporting families in distress, and fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents. Saint John’s response highlighted the victims’ integral place in the city and emphasized the community’s commitment to honoring their memory by upholding these core values.
