Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Suspect in Bjornson killing linked to 2008 drug-gang shooting in Prince George

One of the four people arrested last week in connection with the murder of Fribjon Bjornson had previously faced a charge of attempted murder from the summer 2008 shootings in downtown Prince George.

One of the four people arrested last week in connection with the murder of Fribjon Bjornson had previously faced a charge of attempted murder from the summer 2008 shootings in downtown Prince George.

Jesse Darren Bird, now 31, was among the three arrested on Upland Street the same night as the Aug. 6, 2008 for allegedly firing on a three men from a rival drug gang in another vehicle near the corner of Fifth and Dominion.

Some witnesses estimate that as many as 40 shots were fired, and the incident sent a chill among business owners nearby.

Police said at the time that those involved were all members of the Independent Soldiers, a street-level gang that ran crack shacks in the city, but there was an internal struggle going on with a splinter group.

The charge against Bird, as well as the ones against Fabian James Charlie and Eric Vernon West, who also faced counts of attempted murder, were eventually dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Bird now faces charges of accessory after the fact to murder and interference with a dead body in relation to the Bjornson death. Human remains from the Vanderhoof resident, a 28-year-old self-employed log processor and father of two, were found on an abandoned property on the Nak'azdli reserve near Fort St. James on Jan. 23, 2012.

Police have said Bjornson was known to be involved in drug use and associated with people living high-risk lifestyles.

Also in connection with the Bjornson case, Wesley Dennis Duncan, 27, has been charged with second-degree murder, James David Charlie, 23, has been charged with indignity to human remains and Teresa Marie Charlie, 21, has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

All four are currently in custody in Prince George.