Police investigate the homicide of Ponch Bird at a homeless camp in Prince Albert in July. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

By Nigel Maxwell

A violent year

Year in Review: Prince Albert’s five homicides

Dec 26, 2023 | 8:00 AM

As 2023 draws to a close, paNOW is taking a look back on the most important and impactful stories of the year, as selected by our reporters and editorial staff.

The past year has been a busy one for the Prince Albert Police Service, investigating a total of five homicides.

In the early morning hours of May 6, police were called to the 1100 Block of Second St. E. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 35-year-old deceased woman inside the home. A young girl was also inside and was taken to Victoria Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Thanh Nguyen, who was 45 at the time of his arrest, was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder. While the specific relationship between the accused and the victims has not yet been made public, police have indicated they are known to each other.

A police vehicle sits parked outside the East Flat home. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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Not guilty pleas were entered last August and a preliminary inquiry hearing has been scheduled for February 2024. Due to the fact, that Nguyen speaks very little English, a translator is being provided.

The city’s second murder victim of the year was a man who was living on the streets, and according to witnesses, died protecting a fellow community member. Ponch Bird, 42, was shot and killed on July 23. The homeless camp where he had been living was in the 300 block of 18th St. E.

Ponch Bird was described by his close friends as uplifting and hilarious. (Facebook)

An eye witness told paNOW that a person who allegedly scammed some people arrived to seek refuge at the camp. The “young buck” hid behind Bird, who was shot soon after.

Following the incident, police have made two arrests. Garrisen Clarke was charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, and discharging a gun at a second person.

Loni McCuaig was charged with assault with a weapon. Both people have pending court dates at Prince Albert provincial court and no pleas have been entered.

The city’s third, fourth and fifth murders of the year all happened in October.

On the morning of Oct. 6, police responded to the Rivercrest apartment building for a complaint of a deceased man and found a 37-year-old man dead.

Devon Bird later turned himself in and was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trevor Ballantyne. The motive for the incident remains unclear at this stage of the court proceedings. A social media post at the time of the incident indicated the two related men were drinking together and appeared to be having a good time.

Ballantyne leaves behind two children. The case returns to court on Jan. 23.

A 47-year-old woman was also arrested and later released.

This picture was posted just hours before Trevor Ballantyne was killed. (Facebook)

Nicole Laurin’s obituary indicates she had three children. (Facebook)

Later that night, police responded to a weapons call in the Midtown area.

Upon arrival, officers found a 27-year-old woman suffering from serious injuries. Nicole Laurin was transported to Victoria Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

A second victim, a 31-year-old woman, was driven to hospital by an acquaintance and was also suffering from serious injuries stemming from the same incident. At last word, she was in hospital in stable condition.

There’s been no word on charges or arrests.

On Oct.29, officers were called to the 1000 Block of Branion Drive for a welfare check.

When they arrived, they found 56-year-old Sheldon Mannix deceased.

An autopsy was completed two days later and the death was soon after announced as a homicide. .

Sheldon Mannix. (PaNOW Staff)

According to Mannix’s obituary, he had been living in Prince Albert since the mid-2000s and was the proud grandpa of his little Peanut.

Sheldon worked for Nagy Construction as an Apprentice Carpenter and loved camping and fishing. Sheldon was also an avid Saskatchewan Roughrider fan. He collected flags, hats and a signed #89 Getzlaf jersey.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell