Solicitor General calls Prince George killings gang related

Jan 26, 2017 | 4:11 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — BC’s Solicitor General says the shooting deaths of two men on Foothills Boulevard early Wednesday morning, is a tragic risk that comes with living life in a gang.

Mike Morris says targeted shootings like this one, are part of the gang culture.  “It’s in my neighbourhood, but it’s no different than any other part of B.C.  It just shows the rivalry,” said the Prince George – Mackenzie M.L.A.  He added, “it’s a stark reminder for those who want to get involved in gang activity, not to because of the tragic ending that they get into.

Prince George RCMP haven’t confirmed the shooting was gang related or drug related, although Corporal Craig Douglass suggested similar violence in the past, has often had ties to the drug world.

Police responded to the shooting at 2:40am Wednesday, to an area of Foothills Boulevard, a few hundred metres south of the intersection with North Nechako Road.  They found three people in a car with gun shot wounds.  Two were pronounced dead at the scene while a third person was sent to hospital to be treated.  He is expected to survive.  However police won’t say whether he is cooperating with investigators.

Corporal Douglass told reporters the Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit is leading the investigation with the assistance of the RCMP’s North District Major Crime Unit as well as other specialized units.  However he released few other details, saying police need to keep the bulk of their findings to themselves in the early stages of the investigation.  “We’re only hours into this,” said Douglass.  “This could months if not years long of investigation,” he added.

Meantime the Solicitor General asked residents not to be overly fearful.  “Prince George is a very safe community.  I drive through that intersection (Foothills and N. Nechako Road) every day,” said Morris.  “Again, it’s a targeted situation,” he concluded.

Police have not released any information around possible suspects in the case and won’t say if the victims have a past history with the law.