Family of Andrew Harnett glad his killer’s identity can finally be made public

The family of slain Calgary police Sgt. Andrew Harnett is relieved the veil of secrecy over his killer’s identity has finally been lifted, his brother said Tuesday.

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In an email to Postmedia, Jason Harnett said the expiration of the publication ban on Al Azan Shah Muhammad’s identity will help his family deal with their tragic loss.

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“For our family, this was the final hurdle to bring some level of public accountability to the man who killed Andrew and changed so many things for so many people,” Harnett wrote.

“It also helps our family move on from this difficult chapter.”

Muhammad was just 11 days shy of his 18th birthday when he fled a New Year’s Eve traffic stop with Andrew Harnett desperately clinging to the driver’s door of the offender’s borrowed SUV. Andrew Harnett is a native of Hagersville.

Because he was a minor, a section of the Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibited the media from naming him.

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But that legislation says the protection afforded young offenders expires when a youth is handed an adult sentence.

Justice Anna Loparco handed Muhammad, now 20, a 12-year adult term on Sept. 27 for manslaughter, but granted defense lawyer Zachary Al-Khatib an extension of the ban for the one-month appeal period.

No appeal was filed on behalf of Muhammad by last Friday’s deadline, so Loparco’s temporary ban expired.

‘He is the person responsible for Andrew’s death’

Jason Harnett said it is right for the public to know the name of his brother’s killer.

“While his appearance has evolved during the courtroom process, his name will forever be Al Azan Shah Muhammad,” Harnett wrote.

“He is the person responsible for Andrew’s death, he is the person who showed little remorse, he is the person who can no longer hide behind the shadows,” he said.

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“What Al Azan will never be able to do is rob us from the love we have for Andrew, and the lasting impression he made on everyone.”

Andrew Harnett pulled over Muhammad late on Dec. 31, 2020, for not having his headlights properly illuminated.

A check on his passenger, Amir Abdulrahman, determined he was wanted on outstanding warrants, and other officers arrived on scene to place him under arrest.

But when they approached the vehicle and ordered Abdulrahman to exit, Muhammad hit the gas as Andrew Harnett was beside his driver’s door to hand him his ticket.

The officer clung to the side of the SUV as he sped eastbound along Falconridge Boulevard NE for nearly a kilometer before Muhammad was able to shake him from the door.

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Harnett fell into oncoming traffic and was fatally struck.

Muhammad convicted of manslaughter

Loparco acquitted Muhammad of first-degree murder, finding the then-17-year-old didn’t intend the deadly consequences of his actions, convicting him of manslaughter instead.

But she agreed with Crown prosecutor Mike Ewenson that an adult sentence was warranted considering Muhammad was living an adult lifestyle and was so close to reaching the age of majority.

The maximum youth sentence available was three years.

Abdulrahman, who was 19 at the time of the offense, was handed a five-year sentence for manslaughter.

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