A moment of brazen violence stole a life on a sunny July afternoon. Karolina Huebner-Makurat, a 44-year-old mother of two, was simply crossing Queen Street East, anticipating a lunch with a friend. She never reached her destination, felled by a stray bullet in a senseless act of gunfire.
The man responsible, Damian Hudson, has now been found guilty of second-degree murder. Though he admitted to firing the shot that ended Huebner-Makurat’s life, he insisted it was self-defense – a claim the jury swiftly rejected after less than two days of deliberation. The verdict brings a measure of justice, but cannot erase the devastating loss.
Hudson’s story is one steeped in the dangerous world of drug dealing. He operated an “open-air market” adjacent to a now-closed safe consumption site, selling to those seeking a fix. His life took a volatile turn when he was robbed by rivals – Ahmed Ibrahim and Ahmed Ali – who relieved him of cash and a significant quantity of cocaine.
He testified that he was attacked, pistol-whipped, and forced to defend himself when one of the men produced a firearm. He claimed to have picked up a fallen weapon and returned fire. But the jury saw through the narrative of self-preservation, recognizing the cold calculation behind his actions.
Ibrahim has already pleaded guilty to manslaughter, acknowledging his role in initiating the chain of events. Ali remains at large, evading justice for his part in the robbery that sparked the deadly shootout. The roots of the conflict ran deep, fueled by territory and revenge.
Evidence revealed Hudson harbored resentment towards the younger dealers encroaching on his turf. Text messages painted a picture of escalating threats, including a chilling message to a harm reduction worker, warning of violence against those he perceived as enemies. He displayed a reckless disregard for the potential consequences, declaring he didn’t “care about jail.”
Khalila Mohammed, a harm reduction worker, testified against Hudson, admitting to helping Ibrahim escape after the shooting and later entering into a relationship with him. She denied luring Hudson to the site, but her involvement underscored the complex web of relationships within this criminal underworld.
The tragedy prompted a review of consumption sites across Ontario, ultimately leading to the closure of the Riverdale location and others near schools or daycares. While these changes came in response to public outcry, they offered no solace to the family and friends grieving Huebner-Makurat’s untimely death.
A haunting cellphone video captured the aftermath of the shooting, showing Hudson calmly walking away from the scene, the gun concealed in his waistband, while Huebner-Makurat lay bleeding on the pavement. The image is a stark reminder of the brutal reality of gun violence and its devastating impact on innocent lives.
Hudson now faces a life sentence, with parole eligibility ranging from 10 to 12 years, as determined by the jury. The sentencing hearing looms, offering a final opportunity for accountability in a case that has shaken a community and left a family forever scarred.
