Victim’s name released in Fort St. John shooting

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit is continuing to investigate a homicide that occurred on January 8th and has released further details, including the victim’s name.

The RCMP confirmed the driver of a white BMW, Norman Chase Smith, succumbed to his injuries after a shooting incident.

According to RCMP, at approximately 7:45 p.m. on January 8th, three associated vehicles, a white two-door BMW, a blue Ford Edge and a dark-coloured sedan with tinted windows, were parked on the east side of Kelly’s Convenience Store.

Police say a fourth vehicle pulled up to the gathering, where witnesses say occupants fired multiple shots at the white BMW.

All four vehicles left the scene, but the BMW came to a stop after hitting a parked vehicle on 96A Avenue.

Police are trying to identify the passenger of the white BMW, who was seen getting out of the vehicle and into the dark sedan after the shooting. The RCMP do not consider this person a suspect and want to confirm their safety.

The RCMP says two bullets struck a home on 99th Avenue at 90th Street during the shooting. One came through the front window and into the kitchen, while the other hit the side of the house.

Residents in the neighbourhood sustained no injuries.

The police believe the shooting was a targeted attack connected to the “ongoing B.C. gang conflict.”

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

Anyone with information can contact the Fort St. John RCMP detachment at 250-787-8100.