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The trial for Nirusan Shakespearethas, a man from Vaughan, has begun, where he faces first-degree murder charges related to a deadly shooting outside the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The incident occurred on July 16, 2022, when Shakespearethas shot 24-year-old Stephen Little-McClacken multiple times in a courtyard near Bremner Boulevard and York Street. Despite admitting he was the shooter, Shakespearethas has pleaded not guilty, as his defense lawyers intend to argue that he should be found not criminally responsible (NCR) due to a mental disorder that impaired his ability to understand the wrongfulness of his actions. However, Crown prosecutors maintain that this defense should not apply.
During the court proceedings, an agreed statement of facts was presented by assistant Crown prosecutor David Parry. It was revealed that Shakespearethas, who was 26 at the time, lived with his family in Vaughan. He had known Little-McClacken, also known by his rap name "YB Stainz," since around 2019 or 2020, frequently communicating via phone and messaging apps like Instagram and WhatsApp. On the night in question, Shakespearethas approached Little-McClacken without any verbal interaction, drew a handgun, and fired 12 shots, with at least eight hitting the victim, including two to the head, one to the torso, and several to his arm.
First responders found Little-McClacken lying alone on his back with evident trauma. Despite wearing a backpack, he was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds to his head and torso. Evidence from the scene included twelve spent shell casings and eyewitness testimony from a nearby restaurant manager who heard multiple shots fired in two volleys separated by about 10 to 15 seconds. The manager saw a man firing first four or five shots, then another four or five, before fleeing.
A friend of Little-McClacken, who was with him shortly before the shooting, testified that there was no interaction between the victim and shooter prior to the attack. Video surveillance footage played in court captured Shakespearethas arriving and leaving the scene via the Go Train and documented his movements. When police arrested him four days later, they found black shoes matching those worn by the accused in the footage. A bloodstain on these shoes tested positive for Little-McClacken's DNA.
Officers also recovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol from a garbage can at the Oshawa Go Train station, the same place Shakespearethas traveled to after the shooting. The handgun’s magazine was empty but capable of holding 12 rounds, matching the number of shots fired. Fingerprints from Shakespearethas were found on the gun, and ballistics tests confirmed the 12 shell casings were fired from that weapon.
When police raided his home on July 20, 2022, Shakespearethas surrendered quietly without shoes, matching the booking video where he appeared calm, sitting silently in the prisoner’s box wearing a blue blazer and white shirt. Family members of the victim, including his mother and sisters, attended the trial wearing T-shirts featuring a photo of Little-McClacken with the words “Forever in our Hearts.” They expressed their grief and desire for justice, with the victim’s sister expressing surprise over the not guilty plea and hope the court will find Shakespearethas guilty. The trial remains ongoing as the court hears further evidence and arguments.
