Skip to content

John Ike Koopmans charged in Princeton, B.C. homicides

John Ike Koopmans of Princeton, B.C., has been charged in connection with the triple shooting that took place in Princeton on Saturday.
39873princetonRoseandKeith
Rosemary (Rose) Fox and Robert Keith Wharton are identified as the deceased in the recent double homicide in Princeton

The individual expected to make an appearance in Penticton court Tuesday morning was sent straight to remand and is scheduled to appear on April 24.

Two charges of second degree murder and a charge of attempted murder have been laid against John Ike Koopmans of Princeton, B.C., in connection with the triple shooting that occured on March 30.

During the evening of March 30, police and ambulance services were called out to a residence in East Princeton.

At approximately 9:45 p.m., Saturday evening eyewitnesses watched as one police car and ambulance appeared in the area, shortly thereafter followed by two police trucks and then by another ambulance at about 10:10 p.m.

Two residents, Rosemary (Rose) Fox, 32, and Robert Keith Wharton, 44, were found deceased. One other individual was injured. The injured male (name not released) was taken to Princeton Hospital and then transferred to another hospital for advanced care for life threatening gun shot wounds. He is reported to be in stable condition.

Princeton RCMP, RCMP Southeast District with support from SED ERT worked throughout the night, carrying on into Sunday.

On Sunday morning, March 31 residents were awakened by the sounds of officers calling out on a megaphone in the areas of Tulameen Ave., Angela Ave., and Pine Street.  Numerous police vehicles and officers were seen in the area.

Later in the early afternoon, many vehicles and officers were spotted out on Highway 5 A.

John Ike Koopmans, a 49 year old male was arrested in Princeton at 12:30 p.m., Sunday afternoon.