In the first few months of 2022, Prince George RCMP has entered into three homicide investigations that police believe indicate a rising gang conflict in the City.
Investigators in the Serious Crime Unit are working together to determine if there is a nexus between these files, and are collaborating with the Street Crew Unit and Frontline members to identify those who are involved. The investigations to date indicate these incidents are the result of targeted acts aimed at specific individuals within the drug trade.
We have also reached out to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team for support with enhanced visibility and proactive enforcement in Prince George,
 states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper of the Prince George RCMP.
Police are asking everyone to maintain their vigilance and report suspicious incidents in their neighbourhoods to police, particularly in VLA and the Bowl areas. Simple things such as people from out of town paying for high price items in cash or an increased amount of person or vehicle traffic at a residence could be an indication of drug activity.
Background:
January 25, 2022: Prince George RCMP attended the 1300 block of Porter Avenue to assist B.C. Ambulance with a male victim located there in medical distress. The victim was transported to hospital but did not survive his injuries. The victim, 38-year-old Prince George resident, Derek Mitchell, was well-known to police. The investigation later determined his death was the result of a homicide.
March 12, 2022: Prince George RCMP received a report of a deceased male in a residence on the 600 block of Irwin Street. Although initially reported as a suspicious death, the investigation to date indicates this was the result of a homicide. The victim, 44-year-old Prince George resident Robert Gordon Elliott, was known to police.
March 27, 2022: Investigators responded to a report of gunshots on the 1800 block of Spruce Street. When they arrived at the location, they found a male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The man was transported to hospital but did not survive his injuries. The victim, Sahib Johal, is from the Lower Mainland and is known to police there for his gang affiliations. Johal and his associates were renting an Airbnb in the Lower College Heights area at the time of his death.
March 29, 2022: Early in the morning, Frontline police received a report of gunshots heard in the area of the 700 block of Irwin Street. Investigators located evidence indicating recent gunshots toward a residence in that neighbourhood. The occupants of the location are known to police for their involvement in the drug trade. Police are looking for any witnesses to what occurred this morning between 5:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., or for anyone with video surveillance or dash cam footage from that time to speak with police. No one was injured in this event.
Gangs and their associates have a callous disregard for the safety of others when disputes erupt and, potentially, it can place the public at risk,
states Insp. Darin Rappel of the Prince George RCMP. The issue of gangs and organized crime is one of the top policing priorities for Prince George RCMP.
If you have any information about these criminal offences, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477 or online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca (English only). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
