A man from Port au Port West has been sentenced to seven years in prison for shooting a snowmobiler in the head nearly two years ago on Newfoundland’s west coast. Harold Wayne Hynes, 68, was sentenced by Justice Trina Simms over Zoom from a Corner Brook courtroom on Monday for the shooting of Chad Hickey on February 21, 2025.
Chad Hickey’s wife, Alex Hickey, expressed her satisfaction with the maximum sentence presented by the Crown, acknowledging that no sentence could fully address the challenges her family has faced over the past 20 months.
Hynes faced charges of attempted murder, careless use of a firearm, and aggravated assault and was arrested on March 16, 2025. Justice Simms highlighted the dangerous nature of the act, involving a shotgun, which not only endangered Chad Hickey but also posed a threat to the community.
The incident occurred near Hynes’ residence at Gravel’s Pond, where Hickey and a friend were snowmobiling. Hynes fired a shotgun from his home, hitting Hickey in the head while he was not wearing a helmet, resulting in a brain injury and permanent damage to his left side.
Following the incident, Hickey spent 33 days in the hospital and underwent rehabilitation to recover basic functions. His wife, Alex, emotionally reflected on the challenges they faced during this time, especially as they were expecting their first child.
Initially pleading not guilty to all charges, Hynes later changed his plea to guilty for aggravated assault and careless use of a firearm. Despite progress in his recovery, Hickey expressed the ongoing impact of his injuries on his daily life, including limitations in physical abilities.
Hynes, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, offered an apology during the sentencing hearing, but Alex Hickey expressed that it holds little significance given the severity of the incident. Hynes is now prohibited from using a firearm for life and is forbidden from contacting Hickey or his immediate family.
Alex and Chad recently celebrated their wedding, and their son is now 18 months old, signaling a new chapter for the family.
