The most recent death occurred Sunday at the 1800-block on Spruce Street, near the heart of downtown. Police in response to a shooting report found a man suffering from what the RCMP called “apparent gunshot wounds”. The man, identified as Sahib Johal, was taken to hospital but did not survive. RCMP says Johal is known to police for gangs and, along with several associates, was renting an Airbnb in Prince George’s Lower College Heights neighborhood at the time of his death. Another shooting report came early Tuesday from the 700-square-foot Irwin Street. Police said they found evidence that the shots were aimed at a house known for its involvement in the drug trade. No injuries were reported.

Investigators at Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit are working to find out if these shootings are linked to two other killings this year, they believe are also a target, police said. The RCMP is urging people in Prince George’s VLA and Bowl neighborhoods to be extra careful after a series of violent incidents. (CBC News)
The first of these deaths occurred on January 25 at the 1300-block on Porter Avenue. Derek Mitchell, 38, was named as the victim. The second occurred on March 12, when 44-year-old Robert Gordon Eliot was found dead on the 600-square-meter Irwin Street. Police considered both shootings to be homicide. Both men were “known to the police”, the RCMP said, adding that they believed each of the incidents was the result of “targeted acts targeting specific individuals in the drug trade”. Cpl. Jennifer Cooper says local police have contacted the RCMP’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team to assist with “improved visibility and preventive enforcement” of the law in the coming weeks. “Some of these incidents happened during the day in busy areas of our city,” she told CBC News in an interview. “There is danger [to the public] when gang members bring gun violence to our city. “ They also ask residents, especially those in the downtown VLA and Bowl neighborhoods, to report any suspicious activity to the police, including “people from the city paying for high-priced cash items” or “increased mobility of people or vehicles in a residence.”

Neighborhood hurt by violence

The VLA, in particular, has been hit by guns and gang violence in many places over the past two decades. Supporting the “Veteran’s Land Act”, it was an area of ​​the city where cheap land was given to veterans returning from World War II to build houses. Today, it is one of the city’s most accessible neighborhoods, attracting a variety of demographics – including low-income families, the elderly and people with addiction and mental health issues. Children play in a community garden in the VLA neighborhood in 2020. (Betsy Trumpener / CBC)
There are numerous community groups based in the neighborhood, including Hadih House, a playground for seniors and people in need, the Connaught Youth Center and Nusdeh Yoh, the first British Columbia Nursing School that also serves as a neighborhood hub and a support center. In 2020, police issued a warning after recording four shootings, an arson attack and two gunshots within a week, causing concern in the neighborhood. “I’m talking to unmarried parents who live around me. They’re worried about their children even just playing in front of their house,” said Kitty Mueller, a resident for years. While the majority of incidents are in the VLA, they also occur in other neighborhoods and police say the entire city needs to be on alert.

title: “Rcmp Warn Of Rising Gang Violence In Prince George B.C. " ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-28” author: “Emma Seymour”

The most recent death occurred Sunday at the 1800-block on Spruce Street, near the heart of downtown. Police in response to a shooting report found a man suffering from what the RCMP called “apparent gunshot wounds”. The man, identified as Sahib Johal, was taken to hospital but did not survive. RCMP says Johal is known to police for gangs and, along with several associates, was renting an Airbnb in Prince George’s Lower College Heights neighborhood at the time of his death. Another shooting report came early Tuesday from the 700-square-foot Irwin Street. Police said they found evidence that the shots were aimed at a house known for its involvement in the drug trade. No injuries were reported.

Investigators at Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit are working to find out if these shootings are linked to two other killings this year, they believe are also a target, police said. The RCMP is urging people in Prince George’s VLA and Bowl neighborhoods to be extra careful after a series of violent incidents. (CBC News)
The first of these deaths occurred on January 25 at the 1300-block on Porter Avenue. Derek Mitchell, 38, was named as the victim. The second occurred on March 12, when 44-year-old Robert Gordon Eliot was found dead on the 600-square-meter Irwin Street. Police considered both shootings to be homicide. Both men were “known to the police”, the RCMP said, adding that they believed each of the incidents was the result of “targeted acts targeting specific individuals in the drug trade”. Cpl. Jennifer Cooper says local police have contacted the RCMP’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team to assist with “improved visibility and preventive enforcement” of the law in the coming weeks. “Some of these incidents happened during the day in busy areas of our city,” she told CBC News in an interview. “There is danger [to the public] when gang members bring gun violence to our city. “ They also ask residents, especially those in the downtown VLA and Bowl neighborhoods, to report any suspicious activity to the police, including “people from the city paying for high-priced cash items” or “increased mobility of people or vehicles in a residence.”

Neighborhood hurt by violence

The VLA, in particular, has been hit by guns and gang violence in many places over the past two decades. Supporting the “Veteran’s Land Act”, it was an area of ​​the city where cheap land was given to veterans returning from World War II to build houses. Today, it is one of the city’s most accessible neighborhoods, attracting a variety of demographics – including low-income families, the elderly and people with addiction and mental health issues. Children play in a community garden in the VLA neighborhood in 2020. (Betsy Trumpener / CBC)
There are numerous community groups based in the neighborhood, including Hadih House, a playground for seniors and people in need, the Connaught Youth Center and Nusdeh Yoh, the first British Columbia Nursing School that also serves as a neighborhood hub and a support center. In 2020, police issued a warning after recording four shootings, an arson attack and two gunshots within a week, causing concern in the neighborhood. “I’m talking to unmarried parents who live around me. They’re worried about their children even just playing in front of their house,” said Kitty Mueller, a resident for years. While the majority of incidents are in the VLA, they also occur in other neighborhoods and police say the entire city needs to be on alert.