NANAIMO — A local man will spend the next nine years behind bars after a road rage-linked shooting incident two years ago.
Reza Rahiman, 46, was sentenced on Tuesday, July 15, to nine years and six months in jail after pleading guilty earlier this month to a charge of intent to endanger life following a Feb. 5, 2023 altercation, which culminated with Rahiman firing a gun toward another driver on Northfield Rd.
He also pleaded guilty to a pair of firearms-related offences.
With credit for his 102 days already spent in custody following his arrest, equalling 153 days towards his sentence, Rahiman will spend just over nine more years in prison.
Reza Rahiman leaves BC Supreme Court in Nanaimo on July 8, 2025, during a break in proceedings, after pleading guilty to a trio of charges linked to a February 2023 shooting on Northfield Rd. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)Upon release, Rahiman will be banned from owning any type of firearm or ammunition for the rest of his life, and will have to submit a DNA sample.
Rahiman was originally charged with attempted murder and discharging a firearm with intent to injure or wound shortly after his arrest in the hours following the incident.
It involved a then-18-year-old victim, who was seen driving erratically at times on the Nanaimo Parkway around 12:30 p.m.
Rahiman then passed the victim, and another vehicle, on the right-hand shoulder, which caused the 18-year-old driver to flip his middle finger at Rahiman.
Both vehicles turned off at the Northfield Rd. exit, eventually stopping at the traffic lights on Boxwood Rd. next to each other, when the situation turned violent.
Court heard Rahiman got out of his car, and was seen punching and kicking the victim’s vehicle. He then drew a nine millimetre handgun after the victim reversed toward him, and fired twice.
Both shots hit the victim’s vehicle, but no injuries were reported, with multiple witnesses on hand.
One bullet was later found lodged inside a tire and wheel which was strapped into the passenger seat of the victim’s car.
Police tracked Rahiman’s Jeep to the Cedar area less than an hour later, where two assault rifles, nine millimetre ammunition, and a loaded handgun were located.
Crown counsel Nick Barber requested a seven-year prison sentence, while the defence asked for a two-year non-custodial sentence and three years’ probation.
“Mr. Rahiman was driving around with a loaded handgun in his pants and this is exactly why there needs to be a deterrent sentence,” Crown counsel Nick Barber said during sentencing arguments earlier in July. “When you carry a nine millimetre loaded gun around, you’re planning to use it and that’s what he did. That’s not only a danger not just to [the victim]…but anybody really.”
A contributing factor to the sentence was Rahiman’s history with the courts.
He has a criminal history dating back to 2001 across Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and Interior.
Previous charges include assault of a peace officer, mischief under $5,000 and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. He also has several breaches of court orders and other ticketed driving offences.
– with files from Ian Holmes.
Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.
info@nanaimonewsnow.com
Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook
