In January 2023, Brent McCook fatally shot his wife, Rochelle Poole, at their home in a remote northern B.C. community of Kwadacha, after a prolonged period of heavy drinking. Over roughly 17 hours, both had been consuming alcohol, and witnesses described their interactions that day as calm and affectionate. Later, McCook—who was profoundly intoxicated—fired a rifle from inside the house toward a truck parked outside, striking Poole, who was likely asleep or unconscious in the passenger seat.

After the shooting, McCook fired additional erratic shots toward a neighbour’s house and others nearby. He did not flee and was restrained by neighbours before being taken into custody, where he remained highly intoxicated and appeared confused about what had happened.

Update: Originally charged with second-degree murder, McCook was later convicted of manslaughter. In sentencing, the judge found no evidence that the act was planned, targeted, or driven by conflict, but rather the result of reckless conduct while severely intoxicated. Despite the Crown seeking a longer sentence, he was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison, with credit for time served, reducing it to just under two years. (Update Source: CTV News)