Judge accepts joint submission in sentencing for Porter Creek confrontation
A Yukon Territorial Court judge has sentenced Sheldon Keobke to 10 years and six months in prison after the Whitehorse man pleaded guilty to six charges arising from a September 2022 shootout with a police officer in the Porter Creek neighbourhood.
The charges to which Keobke pleaded guilty include aggravated assault on a police constable, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of fentanyl and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The Crown and defence made a joint submission to the court requesting the 10½-year sentence, and the territorial court judge accepted that submission at a hearing on Aug. 13.
- Total sentence: 10 years, 6 months
- Credit for time served: applied; Keobke has just under 5 years remaining
- Additional order: a lifetime weapons prohibition
| Item | Duration / amount |
|---|---|
| Imposed sentence | 10 years, 6 months |
| Remaining to serve (after credit) | 4 years, 10 months (approximately) |
| Weapons ban | Lifetime |
How the confrontation unfolded
The sentence stems from events on Sept. 28, 2022, when a team of police officers went to a Porter Creek home to arrest Keobke for failing to comply with release orders. According to an agreed statement of facts presented in court, Keobke attempted to flee in a vehicle and tried to reverse out of the driveway to escape arrest. Officers blocked his vehicle. Keobke exited the car and ran; an officer pursued him and ordered him to stop and get on the ground.
The statement of facts says Keobke took cover and that, when an officer saw what he believed to be a gun in Keobke’s hand, the officer fired roughly 10 shots in five seconds. Keobke also fired during the encounter, and an officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. Both Keobke and the officer were treated in hospital for their injuries.
"lifetime weapons prohibition"
The plea and sentencing close a criminal case that included not only the exchange of gunfire but also drug-related offences. Court records list fentanyl and cocaine seized or connected to the matter, with trafficking charges among those to which Keobke admitted guilt.
Local context and consequences
The incident and subsequent sentence will continue to be part of local conversations about community safety and police response in Whitehorse. The acceptance of a joint submission in a case involving an officer wounded in the line of duty also highlights how Crown and defence negotiations can shape final outcomes in serious matters.
Keobke’s remaining sentence, after credit for time served, is just under five years. The lifetime weapons prohibition is an enduring element of the sentence intended to limit future access to firearms and similar items. No additional details were provided in court filings about restitution, parole eligibility or related civil measures.
As this matter moves beyond the courtroom, Porter Creek residents and the wider Whitehorse community will watch how policing, court processes and supports for those affected by violent incidents continue to evolve.
Reporting from Whitehorse, this account is based on the agreed facts and sentencing decision presented at the territorial court hearing on Aug. 13.
