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WARNING

Brandon Sean Dierich, 23, died of gunshot wounds on July 24th, 2007.

Dierich was Edmonton's seventeenth homicide victim of the year.

A seventeen-year-old male was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm during the commission of an offence, and possession of a prohibited weapon. Under provision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the teen cannot be identified.

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Homicide detectives, who did not take their vacation time in the six weeks since Richard Alexander Harris was found stuffed in a trunk June 12th, were suddenly out of luck.

But within 48 hours of the shoooting death of Brandon Dierich, police had an individual in custody and charged with first-degree murder.

A report of shots ringing out in the Mill Creek Ravine area brought police to a grisly scene: the body of a man in his early-twenties slumped over in the driver's seat of his black Chrysler 300C. Initial reports indicated the man had been shot in the head.

The car was found in front of a home at 6710 93 Street in the Hazeldean neighbourhood around 7:40 p.m. July 24th, 2007. The Chrysler was still running and its alarm was sounding. Both front windows of the car, which was not reported stolen, were wide open.

Witnesses reported that it was a gas price-conscious cyclist who pulled the trigger before fleeing into the nearby ravine, part of Edmonton's extensive Capital City Recreation Park river trail system.

"Right now we cannot provide the victim's identity. Initial reports are that several shots were fired from a man on a bike," an Edmonton police spokesman said.

"It appears initially that there was some interaction between that male in the car and the other male. The suspect then took off into [the Mill Creek Ravine on a bicycle]."

"This does not appear to be any kind of random event. There was a purpose behind it," the spokesman said.

Dozens of onlookers gathered at the scene while enjoying the warm summer evening air. The police Air-1 helicopter circled overhead while on the ground two unmarked SUVs navigated the trail system in search of the gunman.

Police did not release a description of the suspect and did not recover a weapon at the scene. However, it was indicated they were close to making an arrest.

"Our officers have a pretty strong indication of who the suspect is," said a police spokesman, adding a gang connection has not been discounted.

Investigators combed over the car and spoke to area residents. Some of those same residents later spoke to media.

A woman, who was in her home when the shots were fired, was later seen riding her bike. She described what she heard.

"Just bang bang."

When asked if she looked outside after hearing the gunfire she replied curtly, "We didn't."

School teacher Norma Hartle, who lived three houses away from where the car was found, told police she had seen a suspicious person in the area prior to the shooting. She described him as a teenager.

"There was a young man in the neighbourhood that my sixth sense said shouldn't be around," Hartle said. "He was kind of just watching everything that was going on."

"He was a clean-cut-looking kid, leaning on his bike up against a tree," she said. " The baby face was gone but he didn't have that adult look to him."

"My son knows of him and he's a kid who's been known to get into trouble."

Hartle laughed nervously as she told reporters she was moving out of the normally quiet neighbourhood.

"There's part of me that says I'm glad my house is for sale."

"I mean, it's happening everywhere. We shouldn't be shocked to say 'It happened in our neighbourhood.' "

Some residents said they had seen the Chrysler on their streets before and described it as suspicious. One person said all the neighbours know each other and the car was not from the neighbourhood.

By late in the evening the man's body was taken away by the Medical Examiner's office.

An autopsy was later completed but at first the results and the man's name were not released. Police later identified 23-year-old Brandon Sean Dierich as being the victim of multiple gunshot wounds.

On the morning after the shooting a dozen police officers, some clad with bullet-proof vests, gathered near the scene of the shooting armed with bug spray and maps of the trail system.

"We've got a little search going," said Det. Pete Draganiuk of the homicide unit. "We're getting as many resources as we can."

A detective from the gang unit said his section was assisting but not leading the investigation. Police later confirmed the shooting was drug-related.

Hours into Wednesday's search, officers found a grey-and-black Norco mountain bike. It was about 40 metres off a paved bike path on a "fairly steep embankment," Det. Draganiuk said.

"We’re speculating it might be involved. We don't know," the detective added.

CTV Edmonton reported that in addition to the bicycle, several articles of clothing that could belong to the gunman were also found. CBC Edmonton reported police brought out a paper bag containing two items.

The Edmonton Journal reported a women in her 20s drove slowly by the scene of the shooting. The woman, crying, parked at the curb.

She jumped out of her SUV and tried to confirm the license plate on the victim's car.

"We don't know anything. Our family, we don't know anything," she said. "We just want to know."

The woman then saw several TV camera crews and drove off.

The Mill Creek murder occurred one year to day after Edmonton's 17th homicide of 2006. The drive-by shooting of 35-year-old Dung Tri Tran took place at the intersection of 107th Avenue and 112th Street.

Tran's car was rammed by a stolen van. He was shot several times in the chest and his vehicle rolled half a block before coming to rest against a building. The gang-related shooting has yet to be solved.

Arrest made

On newscasts aired early on the morning of July 26th, 630 CHED was first to report that police, acting on tips from the public and good detective work, arrested a 'person of interest' in connection with Dierich's murder. CHED reported the man would be charged with Dierich's death.

By mid-afternoon, police confirmed a seventeen-year-old male was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm during the commission of an offence, and possession of a prohibited weapon. Because of his age the teen cannot be identified under provision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Police said they arrested the youth about 1:50 a.m. at West Edmonton Mall after mall security officers recognised him from a police-circulated photograph.

That authorities had a photograph of the suspect suggested the man had been involved with police on a prior occasion. A spokesman said both Dierich and the teen were known to police, however no details of either man's possible criminal history was revealed.

"Police were aware of him," the spokesman said of the teen. "I don't believe it was related to criminal charges."

It was earlier reported the youth was taken into custody without incident.

Police also re-stated the incident was drug-related but not believed to be gang-related. A weapon had yet to be recovered and detectives said their investigation was still ongoing.

It was thought the youth's "lying in wait" while leaning against a tree led police to laying the first-degree charge.

The legal process moved moved swiftly for the young man accused of the city's latest homicide. In the packed setting of Room 444 – Youth Court – in the Provincial Law Courts building, the seventeen-year-old charged with the murder of Brandon Dierich was the first case of the day on July 27th.

The youth stood emotionless before a judge as the court clerk read out the charges. Standing beside the young man was his mother Joan and defence lawyer Kirk MacDonald. The youth, who by and large seemed to be just an ordinary innocent-looking kid, was not wearing handcuffs or leg irons when led in and out of court by a sheriff.

Appearing for the Crown was veteran prosecutor Anne Schutte, most recently seen in court in the Briscoe-Laboucan double trial in connection with the first-degree murder of Nina Courtepatte. Schutte told the court she would be seeking adult sentencing for the young man if he is found guilty.

No plea was entered and the subject of bail was not addressed either. The judge set the matter over until August 10th, 2007 and asked the young man if he would appear in person or if just his lawyer would be present.

"In person please," the youth replied.

As the young man entered the courtroom for his brief appearance, he scanned the gallery looking for familiar faces. Looking back were many of Brandon's friends, some sobbing.

One man's T-shirt in particular stood out. It read "Drunk Chicks Think I'm Hot," which helped carry the spirit of the city's 17th homicide victim into the courtroom.

The appearance was so brief a sketch artist barely had the chance to pull out his pencils to start on a drawing.

Later outside court, emotions spilled over as three young friends of Brandon heckled the mother of his alleged shooter.

"I really hope you’re proud your son [allegedly] killed my best friend," said one woman.

The woman said she knew the teen offender when the two were growing up. "It was the hardest thing to see him," she said.

On November 1st, 2007 a court date was set for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there was sufficient evidence for a trial to proceed against the 17-year-old young offender.

Defence lawyer Kirk MacDonald said the teen was electing trial by judge and jury and a week-long preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 7th, 2008.

On October 17th, 2008 the teen entered a surprise guilty plea to the charge of first-degree murder – see below.

Facebook

When Brandon Dierich was identified as the man found dead in his car, media first relied on Facebook, the popular internet social networking site, for information about the man – read more »

One member of the site's group posted a request on behalf of a Global Edmonton reporter, asking if any of Brandon's friends or family felt like talking they could call the station's newsroom.

Global quoted several members of the RIP Brandon Dierich: we will miss you buddy profile who described their friend.

Note: all Facebook entries quoted on this page are reproduced as they appeared on the site.

James Matheson wrote:

Brandon was a passionate guy who stood by his friends in the face of adversity; never one to back down he was a bro who could be counted on. Everything he did, he did to the limit. Never one to half ass anything, Brandan had no fear. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed by all who knew him.

Shant Chakmakian wrote:

It's evident you lived a life full of joy in your heart, you were a good man... According to many you lived fully...we cannot bring you back, but you will live forever in our memories and we will live the glory and happiness in your honor...you will always be remembered...you will always be a bro...

Missing from the Global extract was part of Chakmakian's entry that read "... the doobies we all smoked, the laughs we all had ..."

Others posted their own fond memories of their friend on the Facebook site:

ya homie i was thinkin bout all the lights we ran thru that night wen we was hammered that night.........livin fast and fuked up aand all u could say wen i was like "yo red light" was....."WAAAATTEEEVVEEERRRR"

I remember one time i was kickin it and i ran into brandon and he was doin his thing and he was lighting off foreworks on the street...the cops came and he ran and ditched them came right back and started all over again...what a nut.

Brandon, you were a one of a kind cousin. I will always remember your bad ass ways, how you and tay would come to the family get togethers and poor 75/25 drinks, smoke weed in the basement you never left your own skin no matter where you were.

i remember stealing my moms car at 4 am on school nights with no learners or anything just to go get all fucked up with brandon and chill! what do i have to steal now to be there again bro??

Not all those posting shared Brandon's apparent party-hard spirit:

why would you all be in such shock...this is pretty typical of what happens to people in the drugs trade...surely you all saw it coming??

The posting was subsequently removed from the site.

News and pictures of an informal memorial sprang up on the Facebook page.

In case you didn't know In memory of Brandon, you can go to 68ave 94st where friends have started a place to say good bye for now until we see you later,their are already flowers,cards,stuffed animals and yes a 40 bottle.May you rest peacefully Brandon, and help watch over us for the rest of our years.

A Brandon Dierich Facebook event site invited friends to attend a gathering near South Cooking Lake in his memory. Details of the event included a start time on Saturday, July 28th of 7:00 p.m. with an end time of 11:00 a.m. the next morning.

One member posted what might best be described as 'party etiquette' to honour the man.

everyone bring a 40 of Colt 45 or something out to this Brandon would want us partying on 40's and I think we need to be poorin as many 40's down for Brandon as we drink

Family reaction

CTV Edmonton was first to provide details of reaction from Brandon Dierich's family.

In a statement aired after news of the arrest of the seventeen-year-old became known, the family spoke of the impact of Brandon's death – read more »

Our family is united in grief over the tragic loss of Brandon. He had a zest for life that was unmatched, and a profound love for his family and friends, which he was never afraid to demonstrate.

We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of kind thoughts for Brandon, which is helping us deal with his senseless death more than words can say. His infectious smile and giving nature will live in our hearts and minds forever.

Dierich family members also contributed to the Facebook site dedicated to Brandon. Exception was drawn to media reports and police statements that the murder was drug-related.

An open note to all from Brandon's Aunt Chris and family members: With deepest gratitude to everyone who knows, shares and understands the unimaginable pain we are experiencing, thank you so very much from the bottom of our aching hearts. To those who insist upon sullying the memory of this exceptionally giving, spirited and loving son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend by continually citing drugs as the (apparently worthy??!) cause for taking his life, shame on you! To set the record straight, there has been no significant evidence of this, and in fact, no drugs were even found at the scene to corroborate this 'report'....This is not in support of him 'resting in peace' with the pride he built in himself and which your comments have confirmed he deserves.

Andrea Young, who within postings identified herself at Brandon's mother, thanked Facebook members for their tributes.

To all of you have posted comments in the past days we want to thank you for the kind words you have said about Brandon. The days will seem long & dark without Brandons smile to guide us. Thank you Rest in peace pokey!! Love Mom

Brandon in quiet moments sometimes would say that he didn't feel loved, that he didn't have friends.It pains me that he would think this way, I hope he really knew this was not true, I am sure he's doing back flips on the 19th looking down on this site & I hope he realizes the legacy that lives on in side of us all. God, give me the strength to carry on. Brandon, call me I miss you !! Mom

A later posting revealed a mother's anguish.

I went to your house today I am wrapped up in your favorite yellow blankie, thats right blankie Brandon called it that. It wraps me in your love I smell you ! You are with me Mom

Also contributing were Brandon's grandparents. The name of Klaus Dierich was affixed to the following entry.

A note from Oma & Opa...We had a grandson who thru all the trials and tribulations, became very, very close to us. Brandon wanted to do it his way, (always) we thought, to show us that he CAN do it. He loved having his own home and he loved his dog, "Lexus". Brandon tried so hard to pull his life together; he loved his OMA and the special things she served him whenever the occasion arose. Particularily in these latter years Brandon took pride in himself, his surroundings, his accomplishments, his family and his friends. We are a an end to have lost him so early. Brandon, we will love you forever

Among the many images of Brandon on the Facebook site was a picture the young man with his family.

Funeral arrangements for Brandon were set for 6:30 p.m. on July 30th at the Park Memorial Reception Centre, 11015 101 Street.

Friends

As has become tradition at the sites of recent Edmonton homicides, a memorial was erected near the spot where Brandon Dierich was murdered – read more »

A blue toy lamb, a bouquet of flowers, a card reading "We Will Miss You Brandon!" and an empty 40-ounce beer bottle were set near a tree.

Curious neighbourhood children later removed the card. There was no indication of what became of the bottle.

While those who knew Brandon told media he was a generous man who was always found at the centre of a party, few interviewed gave any hint as to how he found himself staring at the end of a gun in a peaceful neighbourhood.

The Edmonton Journal interviewed one man, a high school friend of Brandon's who didn't want his last name used, and a few glimmers of detail of the man's recent history were revealed.

"His dreams were to retire at the age of 25, like everyone," said Andrew. "If he wasn't the centre of attention, he would make himself the centre. The lake is a spot Dierich really liked to be."

Andrew said Dierich lived in the adjacent Ritchie neighbourhood and did not attend school. Brandon was self-employed, Andrew said, but declined to explain further.

He told the Journal his friend had been in trouble with the law "a few times," and that he had his Chrysler 300C for two years. "He liked to stunt when he was driving."

One posting on the Facebook site suggested Brandon had an affinity for driving through red lights.

The Edmonton Sun dug deeper into the man's past, going back a decade to when Dierich sought the refuge of a drug intervention program at the age of 13.

The Sun interviewed Angel Reay and Brad Chalcraft, both now 24, who said they lived with Brandon 10 years before at the CASA (Child and Adolescent Services Association) House in Edmonton.

CASA, in operation since 1989, is known for intensive therapy techniques to treat children, from infant years to late teens, who are at the centre of life-altering conflict.

Reay and Chalcraft, who have stayed in contact with Brandon over the years, said it was likely an involvement in the drug trade that led to his death.

"We both knew what he was doing for a living, that he was with the wrong crowd, but we didn't talk about it," said Chalcraft.

"He knew I didn't agree with it. He was a great friend to me. He's become yet another example of how drugs take people out."

Chalcraft said he last spoke to his one-time rehab-mate about a month before the fatal shooting.

Angel Reay told the Sun she and Brandon shared a teenage crush. She also painted a different picture of the man's family life.

"We used to talk and he didn't feel loved by his parents, they didn't have a great relationship when he was younger," Angel said.

"He ended up getting attention from bad people. I always gave him shit for what he was doing but I never expected this to happen. He was so sweet."

"He was a good person. But there was something missing in his life. I don't think that hole was ever filled by what he did, and I find this cycle of violence and drugs is sickening," the woman reflected.

However, Alana Young, her 21-year-old sister Brandi and Amanda Djuff – the three girls interviewed by the Sun for their heckling of the mother of the teen charged – denied that Brandon was into drugs. They spoke of their friend in glowing terms.

"He was just an all-around great guy, an amazing person," said Brandi. "If you ever needed anything, he would do it for you. Brandon was like the last person to deserve something like this."

Brandi said Dierich liked to hang out on the Whyte Avenue strip, naming Bar Wild in particular, where he would often do the backflips he was known for.

"He was like always there ready to party, just full of life," she said. "He was like the perfect friend."

It was that view Brandon's friend Kane also offered when speaking to the Journal.

"He's not the person that's on the news getting killed because of drugs," he said, adding Brandon was "full of energy" who could "make you smile whenever you didn't feel like it."

"I hope they got the right guy."

Ironically, Kane's last statement could have applied to both the victim and his shooter.

Surprise guilty plea

On October 17th, 2008 the teen accused of killing Brandon Dierich entered a surprise guilty plea to the charge of first-degree murder.

Described as "baby-faced," the 18-year-old said "guilty" in a confident voice when the charge was formally read in court.

Crown prosecutor Anne Shutte announced she would be seeking an adult sentence. Defence lawyer Kirk MacDonald indicated he was looking to have his client sentenced as a youth.

As part of the plea arrangement, a statement of agreed facts was entered in the court record.

"In exchange for a minimum of $7,000, [the accused] was contracted to shoot and kill Brandon Dierich," the document read. Dierich was a dial-a-doper and on the street he was known as "Bruce."

Between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on July 24th, 2007, the teen "lured" Dierich to a drug buy at 93rd Street and 68th Avenue, near Mill Creek Park.

Witnesses had seen the teen hanging around the park for several hours prior to the murder.

The youth rode up to Dierich's black Chrysler 300C on his BMX bike and leaned in to hand him the money for the drug buy.

As Dierich reached over to get the drugs, the teen fired two bullets into the side of his head.

The teen, also a dial-a-doper, then fled the scene on his bike into the nearby Mill Creek ravine where he ditched the bike and his clothes, stuffed a Basque .32-calibre handgun into a McDonald's bag and tossed it into the bush.

The gun was still loaded when police found it.

When police arrived at the scene, Dierich's car was still running, its radio blaring.

Evidence photos showed Dierich slumped in the driver's seat clutching a $20 bill.

Packets of cocaine could be seen strewn around the car.

Court heard the teen later went to a friend's house and showed him a grocery bag full of cash. Asked where he got the money, the teen told his friend he had "whacked" somebody. He demonstrated the hit by forming his fingers into the shape of a gun and saying "bam bam."

The cash was dumped onto a bed and the pair took cellphone pictures of themselves rolling in the dough, stuffing bills into their mouths.

Bouyed by his sudden wealth, the teen took his friend via cab to West Edmonton Mall, rented the top-floor Hollywood Suite and ordered up some alcohol.

A shopping spree got underway with the teen buying himself a new BlackBerry, a diamond-studded watch and a pair of Nike Air running shoes. Also purchased were a few ball caps, clothing and a beer-guzzler hat for $9.50.

Others were invited to the party at the suite where the teen proudly displayed his purchases. One witness said the teen was "in a good mood," "pretty happy," "smiling," "laughing" and making jokes.

After treating his friends to a dinner at Moxie's, they ended up drunk and high back in the hotel room. There the teen said to a friend: "I killed Bruce."

When the teen was arrested, police seized several $20 and $50 bills. Some were in a room safe and some were in a white grocery bag lying on the box spring of the bed. The teen was nearly broke.

The young offender has refused to reveal the identity of the person who hired him for the hit on Dierich.

After a court-ordered series of psychiatric tests have been completed and submitted, sentencing for the teen was to take place on March 30th, 2009.

As of August 17th, 2009 there was no word if sentencing had taken place.

deadmonton 2007 - brandon sean dierich