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Thursday, July 25, 2019 | Your community newspaper since 1916

Teens charged with murder Father expects manhunt will end in ‘blaze of glory’ The Canadian Press The father of a suspect in the deaths of three people in northern British Columbia says his son is in “very serious pain” and he expects a nationwide manhunt will end in the young man’s death. Alan Schmegelsky says his son, 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky, had a troubled upbringing. He struggled through his parents’ acrimonious split in 2005 and his main influences became video games and YouTube. “A normal child doesn’t travel across the country killing people. A child in some very serious pain does,” Schmegelsky said in an emotional interview Wednesday in Mill Bay, near his home in Victoria. RCMP charged Schmegelsky and his longtime friend, 19-year-old Kam McLeod, with second-degree murder Wednesday in the death of Leonard Dyck of Vancouver. His body was found on a highway pullout about two kilometres from a burned-out truck and camper police have said the teenagers had been driving. Police had difficulty identifying Dyck and released a composite drawing. They are also suspects in the deaths of Australian Lucas Fowler and his American girlfriend Chynna Deese, whose bodies were found along the side of a highway in northeastern B.C. on July 15. Four days later, Dyck’s body was CP PHOTO found near the teens’ burned-out Alan Schmegelsky, father of Bryer Schmegelsky, pauses during an interview with The Canadian Press in Mill Bay, B.C., on Wednesday. truck several hundred kilometres from the first crime scene. RCMP said in a news release breaking down into tears. “Basi“He hasn’t been nurtured. He “Now I realize it’s his funeral Schmegelsky’s mother’s home or the murder charge now means cally, he’s going to be dead today doesn’t have a driver’s licence. He suit.” at his grandmother’s house where Canada-wide warrants have been or tomorrow. I know that. Rest never learned to ride a bike. He Facebook pages under the two he has been living. Mae Lee, who issued for McLeod and Schmegelin peace, Bryer. I love you. I’m so craved love and affection,” he said. young men’s names are both lives several doors down from the sky. sorry all this had to happen.” “His influences haven’t been good. connected to an account called grandmother, said Schmegelsky A statement from the Dyck famEven if his son is caught, his life His influences have been YouTube “Illusive Gameing.” The page seemed like a nice boy. ily said they are truly heartbroken will be over, the father said. and video games.” under Schmegelsky’s name has “I would see him outside helping by the tragic loss. “He wants his hurt to end. He loved strategy and battle also previously posted a link to the his grandmother,” she said. “I’ve “He was a loving husband and They’re going to go out in a blaze video games in particular, vigilante group Anonymous. never, never seen him alone on father. His death has created of glory. Trust me on this. That’s Schmegelsky said, and two years In Port Alberni, signs with “No the road. He’s always been with unthinkable grief and we are what they’re going to do.” ago his son asked for an airsoft Trespassing” were staked outside grandma.” struggling to understand what has Schmegelsky said he and his gun for Christmas. Schmegelsky of McLeod’s large waterfront In Gillam, the deputy mayor said happened.” wife separated when their son was bought it for him and the teen and family home. His father, Keith residents have been locking their Police initially treated the teens five. She moved with the boy to his friends would “battle” each McLeod, released a written statedoors earlier than usual. John as missing, but announced they the small Vancouver Island comother in the woods, he said. ment to media. McDonald said residents are used were suspects after they were munity of Port Alberni, where he Schmegelsky said his son doesn’t “This is what I do know – Kam to seeing strangers come and go spotted in northern Saskatchmet McLeod in elementary school own any real guns and doesn’t is a kind, considerate, caring from Manitoba Hydro projects, but ewan. The manhunt stretched and they quickly became insepaknow how to drive. He worked young man (who) always has been they’re paying closer attention to into northern Manitoba this week rable best friends. at the Port Alberni Walmart after concerned about other people’s faces since the release of photos when a burned-out car the teens They were “everyday, good kids” graduating from high school feelings,” McLeod said. “As we of the suspects and word Tuesday were travelling in was found near who didn’t get into trouble, but his earlier this year, but was disapare trapped in our homes due to that they may be in the area. the community of Gillam. son had problems at home and, pointed with the job and told his media people, we try to wrap our Extra officers have been brought Alan Schmegelsky said he exat 16, briefly moved to Victoria to dad he was setting off to Alberta heads around what is happenin for a search focused about 70 pects his son will die in a confronlive with him, Alan Schmegelsky with McLeod to look for work. ing and hope that Kam will come kilometres northwest of the town tation with police. said. The boy then returned to The father recalled that his son home to us safely so we can all get near Fox Lake Cree Nation, where “He’s on a suicide mission. He Port Alberni to live with his grand- bought a nice black suit with his to the bottom of this story.” Chief Walter Spence has said wants his pain to end,” he said, mother. second paycheque from Walmart. No one answered the door at police would be patrolling.

Petrochemical plant planned for BCR site Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca

CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

Ken James from West Coast Olefins speaks about taking first steps towards the construction of a $5.6 billion petrochemical plan in the BCR site.

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A Calgary-based company intends to build a $5.6-billion petrochemical plant in the BCR Industrial Site. Unveiling the plan Wednesday to about 50 people who attended a gathering at the Courtyard by Marriott, West Coast Olefins CEO Ken James said the company has secured a 300-acre site at the BCR Industrial Site to pursue the project. If all works out, a fully operating facility will be up and running by the end of 2023 and employ as many as 1,000 people in permanent, highly skilled jobs.

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The feedstock would be natural gas supplied via the Enbridge West Coast pipeline. “This will be the biggest project the city has ever seen,” said James, who lived in Prince George from 1974 to 1984. He highlighted the city’s access to the CN Rail line to Prince Rupert, availability of land and proximity to the pipeline as three main reasons why the city was chosen. Steps still to be taken include clearing the provincial environmental assessment process, which will include a public consultation period. — See CONSTRUCTION on page 3

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