The mastermind behind B.C.’s most notorious gang killing has been released after completing his prison sentence for conspiracy to commit murder.
Former Red Scorpions gang leader Jamie Bacon was sentenced to 18 years in prison in September 2020 for his role in the so-called “Surrey Six” murders in 2007.
After credit for time served in pre-trial custody, the sentence amounted to an additional five years and seven months.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), B.C.’s gang-focused police task force, confirmed Bacon’s release, and added he was under unspecified conditions and a curfew.
Mother of Surrey Six victim says Jamie Bacon’s sentence is impossible to accept
CFSEU spokesperson Sgt. Sarbjit Sangha told CBC News Bacon will be monitored by Alberta provincial corrections officials and local police in Edmonton.
CBC News has reached out to Correctional Service Canada for further details.
The 2007 murders unfolded at Surrey’s Balmoral apartment tower, where Bacon’s associates had gone in search of gang rival Corey Lal.
At his sentencing for the Surrey Six killing, Justice Kathleen Ker described how Bacon had hatched a “diabolical” plot to have his rival killed because he did not want to look weak after Lal refused to hand over a drug line and pay a $100,000 “tax.”
Jamie Bacon sentenced to 18 years for his role in Surrey Six killings
But the attack spiraled out of control when Bacon’s hitmen arrived to find Lal wasn’t alone.
Lal’s brother and two associates, as well as gas fitter Edward Schellenberg — who was on a service call — were inside the condo.
A second bystander, 22-year-old Christopher Mohan, was on his way to a basketball game when he had the misfortune to exit his apartment across the hall as the hitmen were there.
All six victims were forced to lie on the floor, where they were shot dead.
Christopher Mohan’s mother, Eileen Mohan, said she wasn’t surprised by Bacon’s release, but wasn’t happy about it either.
“This person was the mastermind, he should have been in prison for the longest time. But Mr. Bacon cut sweetheart deals with the Crown and today we are where we are today,” she told CBC News.
“My only son, his innocent life was taken that day … so it’s not sitting well with me.”
Bacon, who was initially charged with first-degree murder, ultimately reached a plea agreement that saw him plead guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in the Surrey Six killing and to counselling someone to commit murder for a separate, failed assassination attempt of another associate in 2008.
He was handed 10 years for that crime, to be served concurrently with his sentence in the Surrey Six killing.
Mohan said she believes the justice system needs reform to bring victims’ rights in balance with those of offenders.
“There has to come up to a point that we need to make a stand and say this person should not be released because of all the crimes that he has committed, and Mr. Bacon has a lot of blood on his hands,” she said.
“We live by the letter of the law. We should also be living by the spirit of the law. And the spirit of the law says that each and every person has the right to be protected by the government and its laws,” Mohan added.
Six others have been convicted for their roles in the Surrey Six killings, including Cody Haevischer and Matthew Johnston who were each convicted of six counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2014.
Both men appealed, citing claims of police misconduct and cruel in-custody treatment.
Johnston died of cancer in 2022, but Haevischer’s appeal is ongoing.
