MIAMI – A Canadian diplomat's teenage son is headed to boot camp instead of prison for his role in a fatal Miami shooting that killed his brother and another teenager.
Under the terms of a plea agreement reached Friday, Marc Wabafiyebazu, 15, must attend nine months of boot camp beginning Feb. 25, followed by two years of house arrest and eight years of probation.
Wabafiyebazu was charged as an adult with felony murder in a March 2015 drug-related shooting that killed his 17-year-old brother, Jean Wabafiyebazu, and Joshua Wright, also 17. Miami police said the Wabafiyebazu brothers were trying to rob marijuana dealers and a shootout ensued.
"We are thankful that the state and the court recognized this is a young man (who) does have significant redeeming qualities," defense attorney Curt O'Bront told Local 10 News. "Unfortunately, (he) made a horrible decision to hang out with his older brother, who was up to no good, we now know."
Wabafiyebazu's mother is Roxanne Dube, who is on leave as Canada's consul general in Miami.
"Today it's the mother (who) is the happiest in the world, because I get to have my son back, (but) I would lie if I didn't say it's been difficult," Dube told Local 10.
If Wabafiyebazu successfully completes the requirements, the court will withhold adjudication of guilt. If he violates the terms of the plea deal, he could face up to 60 years in prison.
"This gives him a chance to straighten out his life, and if he takes that chance he will go forward," Miami-Dade County state attorney's office spokesman Ed Griffith told Local 10. "If he fails, he will be harshly punished."
Two co-defendants received a similar deal and are already in boot camp.