A 12-year-old boy from Lethbridge, Alberta, who had been watching violent content on YouTube, admitted to attempting to murder his 7-year-old brother by stabbing him nine times. Due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identities of the siblings remain protected.
Appearing via video link, the older brother confessed his guilt in a Lethbridge court before Youth Court Justice Ryan Anderson. The prosecution shared details of the incident, which occurred on August 27, 2025, while the boys’ father was away.
Allegedly, the 12-year-old, driven by rage, armed himself with a kitchen knife and repeatedly stabbed his younger brother as he sought refuge in a bedroom. The victim sustained severe injuries to his face, hand, arm, and back, including life-threatening wounds to vital organs.
Following the attack, the older brother informed his father that his sibling was dead. In subsequent police interviews, he mentioned struggling with uncontrollable urges influenced by auditory hallucinations and admitted to exploring violent content online prior to the incident.
The boy is expected to undergo an Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision program, designed for young offenders with significant mental health challenges, combining treatment with custody and supervision. Details of his sentencing will be disclosed during a hearing scheduled for February.