A neighbour of a senior who is accused of shooting a St. Albert youth who was trespassing on his property says he is shocked to hear of the news.
On June 29 a 16-year-old was shot and suffered serious injuries but is in stable condition but still in hospital.
Police say the youth, 16, and a friend, 15, were on a rural property on Range Road 255 in north St. Albert when they were confronted by an individual with a firearm who shot the 16-year-old.
RCMP have charged Jim Bregin, 84, with aggravated assault, using a firearm in the commission of an offence, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and intentional reckless discharge of a firearm.
The youths were trespassing on the property, said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, a public information officer with the RCMP.
Two of Bregin’s neighbours said he was often concerned about trespassers stealing parts from his many vehicles.
Neighbour Brian Hardiman said he had met Bregin only once, but in that conversation, Bregin brought up his issues with property theft.
“I’m kind of shocked,” Hardiman said. “He seemed like a nice guy.”
Both Hardiman and another neighbour who asked not to be named, but who has known Bregin for more than a decade, said Bregin has lived on the property for most of his life.
A land title acquired by the Gazette shows a James Bregin has owned the property since 1976.
Bregin reported thefts to police in the past, said the neighbour who asked to remain anonymous.
Satellite images show hundreds of vehicles stored on Bregin’s property.
In April, St. Albert city council approved the possible expropriation of Bregin’s property for the development of Fowler Way, a four-lane arterial road that will connect Ray Gibbon Drive and St. Albert Trail.
“[Expropriation] only becomes necessary when all other avenues have been exhausted, and I think we've been trying to work with this particular landowner for a couple of years,” Coun. Mike Killick said in April.
Killick and Coun. Sheena Hughes also told the Gazette they believed the Fowler Way project was too far along to avoid going through Bregin’s land.
In April, the Gazette tried to contact Bregin about the expropriation, but he could not be reached for comment.
Bregin will appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Morinville on July 4.
