Charge laid in 2023 homicide in Smithers, B.C.

RCMP say aSmithers, B.C.,man has been arrested and charged in relation to a homicide in the northwestern B.C. community nearly one year ago.

Police say they received a reporton Sept. 8, 2023 of a man who had been shot in a vehicle outside a residence in Smithers. He later died of his injuries.

The B.C. Prosecution Service approved a charge of second-degree murder against Sylvester Gordon Joseph of Smitherson Friday, RCMP said.

"Homicide investigations are very complex and do take ... time to gather all the necessary evidence before we even can forward a package to Crown for review," said RCMP Staff Sgt.Kris Clark.

Joseph was arrested Friday in Kelowna without incident, police said.

"It could be devastating to [a] community it's one step in the process so it's really not closure," Clark said.

A court date has not yet been set.