Princeton murder suspect identified

By Shannon Quesnel

A Princeton man charged with two counts of murder has been identified as John Ike Koopmans, 49.

Koopmans was arrested on the weekend and faces second degree murder charges and one count of attempted murder. He was expected in Penticton Provincial Court today but he will be in custody in Kamloops until April 24. He is expected to return to Penticton at that time.

The murder and attempted murder charges were made in connection to the deaths and injury of three Princeton residents. Robert Keith Wharton, 44, and Rosemary Fox, 32, were found dead at an Old Hedley Road property. RCMP also found a wounded man, 48, who has since been taken to hospital. Police would not release his name.

RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said earlier everyone involved knew one another.

The Southeast District Major Crime Unit from Kelowna is leading the investigation.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065.

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