Killer of teenage Winnipeg beer store worker sentenced to life in prison, no parole for 15 years

A man convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Winnipeg beer store employee John Lloyd Barrion in 2022 has been sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 15 years.

William Sampson, 54, was immediately handcuffed and led out of the Winnipeg courtroom after the judge read the sentence Wednesday morning.

Describing the murder and events surrounding it as senseless, tragic and fuelled by greed, the judge called its “callousness” and Sampson’s “lack of remorse” as key elements in her sentencing decision.

Sampson was found guilty, in a judge-alone trial, of second-degree murder in the Feb. 15, 2022, shooting of Barrion through a service window of the beer vendor on Notre Dame Avenue, where the teenager was working alone in the early hours.

Several members of Barrion’s family were in court Wednesday: his father Manuel, and his brothers John Christian and John Emmanuel. They looked morose as they listened to the retelling of the crime, each holding their hands together on their laps.

“I’m feeling OK after three long years of waiting,” John Christian Barrion told CityNews after sentencing. “My brother passed away in 2022, it’s now (2025). It feels really good that there’s now some closure, and that there has been a decision of 15 years without parole.

“I think it’s fair. The Crown attorneys did argue for 18-20 years and the defence argued for 14 years. So 15 years is in the middle of those two, and I would say it’s pretty fair for us.”

Sampson — described as a repeat offender with a lifetime of crime — is said to have stuck a sharpened .22 calibre rifle through the hole of the security kiosk while he and three men made demands for cash. Sampson possessing a weapon was in contravention of a court order.

Sampson, who was 51 and on parole at the time, shot Barrion “in cold blood,” Crown prosecutors said in a sentencing hearing last month, striking him in the lower back after the teen complied with demands from the suspects and handed over alcohol and money. Prosecutors called the crime “heinous.”

“In consideration how my brother died, he died while he was working,” John Christian said. “He was a cashier, he was a clerk and a robber shot him. I’m hoping to see that there’s more protection for people who work alone, late at night. I’m hoping that there are perhaps more security cameras and not just one person working alone, but maybe having a coworker there in order to make it less likely of a target when criminals do decide to go to a store.

“Also targeting the root causes of course, like poverty and addictions and more funding needs to go to that as well.”

John Christian added it was important to remember how his brother lived.

“To continue with our grieving and our healing process and to try to remember John Lloyd Barrion in our hearts forever,” he said.

“I have plenty of cherished memories with my dear younger brother, John Lloyd. I remember going to Northgate (mall) and there was a mechanical pony that used a coin, a loonie to make it run. And I remember riding on it and he was behind me, but he wanted to be in front and not behind and so he bit my back. This was when we were kids of course.”

At last month’s sentencing hearing, the Crown said planning went into the robbery; the men brought masks, a bag, gloves and the rifle. Prosecutors also said there was no consideration for safety after the robbery took place. The men filled up their vehicle’s gas tank using money obtained from the robbery and took drugs. At no point did anyone think to call for help.

The defence portrayed a Sampson as having lived through racism growing up as a Black man in Canada, instability in housing, foster care, violence, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, health issues and limited education. His attorney said he experienced the deaths of close family members, a miscarriage with his partner, and challenges with relationships and children.

During sentencing Wednesday, the judge said she took everything into consideration: Sampson’s health issues, the motive, planning, and his role in Barrion’s killing. She also took into account Sampson’s age, as she claimed most people “age out” of violence.

The judge also acknowledged Samson’s rehabilitation goals, saying he’s motivated by children and family. She recommended he undergo healing programs.

“There are a lot of considerations that the judge has to put into play when making these decisions and I understand that she is the most experienced in these and educated in these,” said John Christian. “And I trust her decision that she has made the best choice for this.”