A Calgary man who fired at a driver who missed by “a couple of inches” has pleaded guilty in a traffic altercation

A Calgary man fired seven shots at a driver in a crash, one of which hit the victim “a couple of inches” from the head, a judge heard Monday.

Jamal Baroudi, 25, pleaded guilty to discharging a weapon to endanger life.

At the time of the shooting, Barudi had a firearms license and was in possession of three restricted semi-automatic handguns.

Judge Jaime Williams will hear sentencing arguments from defense attorney Rame Katrib and prosecutor Aleksandra Simic later this year after a risk assessment and psychological report are completed.

The victim, who was in court Monday, is expected to make a statement at Barudi's sentencing hearing.

Barudi attended the court with his parents.

The bullet hit the windows of the truck

On November 11, 2022, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Jake Lee was driving a Toyota Tundra eastbound on McKnight Boulevard and approached the southbound Defoot Trawl ramp.

Details of Barudi's crime come from an agreed statement of facts (ASF) that Simic read aloud.

In the middle of rush hour, a 2010 Chevrolet Impala driven by Barudi pulled in front of the Toyota and began checking the truck's brakes.

According to the ASF document, the two vehicles joined Deerfoot and Lee and “attempted to pass the Impala on the left.”

According to the document, Barudi, who had several guns in his car at the time, fired at least seven shots at Lee.

The victim called 911

The victim's truck was hit by seven bullets.

According to the ASF, one of those bullets “missed Mr. Lee's head by an inch or two, went through the passenger window, went through his head, and exited the driver's side window.”

A total of four bullets entered the cab of the truck and hit the front and rear passenger windows. Three others crashed into the body of the truck.

Lee immediately got off Deerfoot Highway onto NE 32nd Avenue, where she called 911. Barudi walked down Difoot.

Dashcam footage from Lee's truck captured the entire sequence of events.

By the time Barudi arrived at the park in his apartment complex, he had already removed the Impala's license plate.

Search warrants were executed at the couple's apartment and the Impala. Police found shell casings, live and spent ammunition, and a loaded assault rifle magazine.

The accusation was against the girl

Calgary Police Service initially charged Barudi and his girlfriend, Karma Singh.

At the time of the shooting, CPS asked for the public's help in locating Singh, who they believed was “responsible for firing a firearm during a road rage incident.”

On Monday, the Crown dismissed Barudi's charges.

Singh's lawyer, Kim Arial, issued a statement in response to the incident.

“Ms. Singh has always unequivocally denied the allegations made by Calgary police,” Arial wrote.

“He is pleased the Crown has dropped its prosecution against him.”