The Princeton man who was murdered in a driveway of a private property on June 15, had an extensive criminal record, according to court documents.
The victim is Donald (Donnie) Lyons, 52.
According to a release, police responded to a report of shots fired at a residence on Princeton Summerland Road, at approximately 2:30 p.m.
He was a reputed former member of the Independent Soldiers gang, which trafficked drugs across provincial borders and is now linked to other prominent gangs.
When officers arrived on that fatal Saturday afternoon, officers they found Lyons unresponsive in the driveway. Lyons was confirmed deceased at the scene.
“While the investigation is still in its early stages, police believe the shooting was targeted,” said Staff Sergeant Jason Smart, NCO i/c of the Southeast District MCU. “There is no risk to public safety at this time,”
Lyons had been in and out of jail for years.
In 2010 he was found guilty of numerous illegal weapons charges originating in Kelowna, including possessing restricted weapons, as well as possessing or making explosives.
More recently, he was charged and awaiting trials on two incidents, both domestic.
It was alleged he committed an assault in Hedley, in May 2023, and was scheduled for trial in Princeton in September, 2024.
He was also charged in October, 2023 in West Kelowna, for uttering threats, and was awaiting trial on that matter at the time of his death.
The RCMP seeks the public's assistance. Anyone who was travelling along Princeton Summerland Road between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on June 15, 2024 and has dash-camera footage or observed anything suspicious, is urged to contact the Southeast District Major Crime Unit’s tip line at 1-877-987-8477.
This is the second violent death in Princeton, in less than a year, that is being investigated by Major Crimes.
Joshua James Bronk’s body was discovered in a rural area of Princeton, Oct. 28, 2023.