Violence has once again hit Dawson Creek. Last fall, we reported that since 2021, 11 people have been killed or gone missing in the small northern British Columbia community of 12,400 people. Now make that 12. The sound of gunfire was heard again late on Jan. 19. The next day, police said one man had been killed and a second injured. Four days later, a 23-year-old man was in custody, charged with second-degree murder. The RCMP says the violence is gang-related, and they are sending in reinforcements. Again. Members of the uniform gang enforcement team and combined forces special enforcement unit are being deployed to the community 1,200 kilometres north of Vancouver. A similar deployment took place in November 2023. This follows three years of turmoil in the community that has been fueled by drugs and gangs. Last summer, The Fifth Estate spent several weeks in Dawson Creek investigating the violence. We met concerned community members, grieving family members and frustrated police officers. Although some arrests have been made, much of the violent crime is still unsolved. During our visit, we learned about previously unreported connections between two unsolved killings, along with a possible motive, uncovered key details and individuals involved in the final moments some of the victims were seen alive and unearthed communitywide frustration with the RCMP. But most of all we discovered a community with heart that is committed to finding justice for those affected by the violence and dedicated to making its streets safe again. The Fifth Estate is continuing to follow this story. So stay tuned. And in the meantime, in case you missed it, you can watch “Dawson Creek: We want our town back” on YouTube or tonight at 9 p.m. on CBC-TV and CBC Gem. Timothy Sawa, Producer, The Fifth Estate | 
