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Terence Dashielle Miller, 26, was shot to death August 17th, 2008.

Miller was Edmonton's eighteenth homicide victim of the year.

Case status is open and active.

Calls came in at about 4:44 a.m. August 17th, 2008 after shots were fired in a parking lot behind the Canadian Native Friendship Centre at 11205 101 Street. A family reunion being held in the hall was in the process of wrapping up.

As police were interviewing witnesses word came that a man in his mid-20s was dropped off at a nearby hospital.

"Shortly thereafter after, we received a call from the Royal Alexandra Hospital that a male had been brought in and was suffering from some gunshot wounds. He subsequently passed and died in the hospital," Inspector Terry Rocchio told media.

"There appears there's alcohol involved ... and who knows what started this fight. We say we don't believe it's drug or gang-realted at this time. It just could be two people as simple as getting into an argument and solving it with a gun unfortunately," Rocchio added.

Police said the victim was known to them and that he had been inside the hall earlier. Witnesses were interviewed and police announced they currently don't have any suspects.

"I don't believe and I don't think our detectives believe it has anything to do with the actual centre," Rocchio commented.

Forensic staff spent the day documenting the scene.

One neighbour interviewed said she woke up around 4:30 to shouting in the parking lot. "It sounded like there was some kind of fight going on," she said.

Another neighbour said he heard "about half a dozen" shots fired. The man estimated there were about 60 people in the parking lot when the shooting occurred.

"There was swearing and a whole bunch of people gathered around the body. He was lying on the ground. They picked him up and put him into a car," and then drove off, he said.

When Wendy Hutchison woke, she thought the noises were coming from a neighbour doing renovations. Then there were four shots, she said.

"My husband came out about 15 minutes later and there were a bunch of people yelling at each other," Hutchison said. She then saw two vehicles speed away from the scene.

"We've been here 10 years and there've been a few times where things have gotten out of control."

"It's not that surprising really. I mean you just kinda get used to it I guess, unfortunately," observed area resident Carol Morrison.

The shooting drew comments from neighbours that activity at the centre has added to the problems of the already crime-ridden area. Residents said the lot was a hot spot for "druggies and troublemakers."

"I don't think we've been drawing seedy crowds," said Dean Brown, acting executive director of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre.

"[It's] just a sign of the times. It happens all over the place. It's unfortunate but I don't think it's a reflection of the friendship centre or the crowds we draw."

Brown said the hall was booked for a family reunion and there was no liquor licence for the event. One facility staff member was in attendance, and Brown pointed out that "it's up to the people renting the hall to provide their own security."

A sign at the rear entrance of the building indicated video surveillance was present. There was no word if police were able to check possible footage.

A source who attended numerous functions at the centre told The Last Link that the venue often hosts after-hour dances, usually starting at 3:00 a.m. and ending at 5, and that liquor is often served without a licence (with hall representatives in attendance).

Brown later told the Edmonton Sun the victim was part of a group of late-comers who had arrived at about 2:30 a.m.

"The family reunion people were cleaning up and these guys just muscled their way in," Brown said. "They tried to, I guess, crash the party."

The centre's director again defended the hall and disputed reports it was a gathering point for troublemakers.

"It's a sign of the times, violence is escalating," Brown said. "This is the 18th homicide of the year. I guess eventually it had to happen here."

The day after the shooting, a police spokesman had no new information to offer.

"In fact, police don't have a lot to go on, so they're really counting on the public to come forward with tips," the spokesman said. "Someone must have seen something."

On August 20th, 2008 autopsy results were released that indicated 26-year-old Terence Dashielle Miller died of multiple gunshot wounds.

However, citing the needs of the investigation, police did not reveal how many times Miller was shot – or where the shooting took place.

Witnesses who earlier spoke to media said they saw a man being loaded into a car in the parking lot of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre, something police would not confirm.

Police would also not reveal why Miller was known to them and in what capacity – privacy act concerns limiting what they could say.

However, Edmonton's eighteenth homicide victim of the year had in fact been charged with second-degree murder in two separate cases and beat the charges both times.

The name of Terence Dashielle Miller last surfaced after the July 2nd, 2008 shooting of 24-year-old Scott Ladouceur (above), Edmonton's fourteenth homicide victim of the year. Ladoucer's murder remains unsolved.

Ladouceur, Marlon George Williams, and a third person arrived at the Northeast Community Health Centre at 14007 50 Street in a silver Mazda 6 that had a large bullet hole in the passenger door and another bullet hole in the back of the driver's headrest.

Ladouceur was pronounced dead and Williams (above) was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital with life-threatening wounds. The third person was held for questioning and released.

Police believe Ladoucer and Williams were shot in a semi-rural area near 167th Avenue and 18th Street, west of Kuhlmann's Greenhouse and the Evergreen Mobile Home park.

It wasn't clear why the victims were near the trailer park – investigators said they were not there for a party and that the car wasn't moving when the bullets were fired.

When he was 16 years old, Marlon George Williams was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 21-year-old Ikeche Bates.

On May 3rd, 2003 Bates (above), who had former gang connections, was shot in the back on Clareview Road near 132nd Avenue as he returned to his Chrysler Sebring following a conversation about jewelry with two people in a small, red car.

Police soon seized a 1988 four-door Honda Civic and second-degree murder warrants were issued for Terence Dashielle Miller, 20, and a 16-year-old (Williams). The two men were arrested several days later.

Williams later pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon and was sentenced as an adult to two years probation. He also received a lifetime firearms ban and had to serve 100 hours of community service.

Terence Dashielle Miller had charges against him stayed in the Bates matter, with the Crown citing "evidentiary" reasons for the decision.

Edmonton homicide Det. Clark said there was a possibility the Ladoucer-Williams shooting could be connected to the Bates case, but “there's no way to say anything definitively at this time.”

Isha Jackson, Ikeche's sister, couldn't speculate whether the shootings of Williams and Miller were linked but she was glad both were no longer on the street.

"It slightly feels like relief to know the two people [accused of murdering] my brother are not on the streets," Jackson told the Edmonton Sun. "I don't have to worry about bumping into them."

Miller's 2003 brush with the law wasn't enough to keep him on the straight and narrow.

In 2005, the now 23-year-old turned himself in to police to face a second-degree murder charge in connection with the July 7th death of Brandon Fern (above). The 18-year-old had been beaten, stabbed and shot in an Abbottsfield apartment lobby.

Miller again escaped justice when Crown prosecutors stayed the charge against him relating to Fern's death.

News that Miller had been fatally shot didn't gain much traction with Fern's family.

"He killed my brother," said Chaz Fern, 16, adding he didn't care about Miller's fate.

Court records indicate Miller did have convictions for break and enter, assault and the careless use of a firearm.

Miller was facing a trial September 17th, accused of breaking into a downtown apartment on April 25th, 2005. The incident included a violent assault on a female. In addition, he had seven outstanding weapons and drug-related charges.

Police continued to say Miller's shooting was not believed to have gang connections. Investigators have also not commented on possible connections between Miller's death and any of the three homicides he is in some way linked to.

CTV Edmonton viewers were provided with a series of graphics detailing Miller's links.

"It's all based on the evidence that police have," a spokesman explained. "At this time there's not enough evidence for investigators be able to say that this is gang or drug-related."

With no suspects identified, police again appealed to the public for assistance – despite the fact there were between 50 and 60 people in the parking lot at the time of the shooting.

Those with information were asked to contact Edmonton police at 780-423-4567, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or online at www.tipsubmit.com

Tips can also be text messaged. In Edmonton, text TIP250 + message and send to CRIMES (274637). In Northern Alberta, text TIP205 + message and send to CRIMES (274637).

It is not known how Miller was connected to the family reunion being held at the centre. Given the six degrees of separation surrounding the man, future reunions could be held in smaller venues.

The Edmonton Police Service web site entry for Terence Dashielle Miller can be seen here.

Additional material

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deadmonton 2008 - terence dashielle miller