BC NEWS, FORT ST. JOHN

Monday, January 15, 2024

The Fort St. John RCMP Serious Crime Unit continues to investigate a homicide that occurred on January 8, 2024, and can provide the following update at this time…

On January 8, 2024, at approximately 7:45 pm, three associated vehicles, including a white two door BMW, a blue Ford Edge and a dark colored sedan with tinted windows, were parked on the east side of Kelly’s Convenience Store located at 90th Street and 100th Avenue in Fort St. John. 

A fourth vehicle pulled up to the gathering where, according to witnesses, occupants fired multiple shots at the white BMW. All four vehicles departed the scene with the BMW coming to a stop after hitting a parked vehicle on 96A Avenue near 90th Street. 

RCMP can confirm the driver of the white BMW, Norman Chase Smith, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Police continue to try and identify the passenger of the white BMW who was observed getting out of the BMW and into the dark colored sedan after the shooting. The passenger is a not considered a suspect, and police want to confirm their safety.

A residence on 99th Avenue at 90th Street was struck by two bullets during the shooting; one came through the front window and into the kitchen of the residence while the other struck the side of the house. No injuries were sustained by residents in the neighbourhood.

RCMP believe the shooting was a targeted attack connected to the ongoing BC gang conflict.

The Fort St. John RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the dark sedan, the passenger from the white BMW and the suspect vehicle. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fort St. John RCMP at 250-787-8100 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.