DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - A Dawson Creek man charged with second-degree murder has pleaded guilty to a lesser offence in connection with a 2025 homicide.
According to the B.C. Prosecution Service, Nolan Schmidt pleaded guilty on July 6 in B.C. Supreme Court to manslaughter in connection to the death of Johnny (Joel) Freeman.
Schmidt was also charged in connection to a shooting involving Brandon Badger after Freeman was killed. Both offences stem from incidents that occurred in Dawson Creek on January 19, 2025.
The manslaughter conviction is a lesser offence to the original charge of second-degree murder, which had been laid following the death of Freeman.
Prosecutors say Schmidt also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in relation to a second shooting that occurred minutes after Freeman was killed.
The charges stem from a violent night in Dawson Creek that drew widespread attention across the Peace Region.
Police alleged Freeman was shot and killed at an apartment in the 1000 block of 102nd Avenue.
Schmidt is alleged to have then gone to the Spike’s Pub with a shotgun. He then went to the Mile Zero Apartment Hotel where he allegedly shot a second male.
The victim was identified as Brandon Badger, who was airlifted to hospital in Edmonton to be treated for his injuries.
A 20-year-old woman and 16-year-old girl were in the apartment unit at the Mile Zero Hotel at the time of the shooting.
Schmidt then fled on foot to a condo unit. When Dawson Creek RCMP arrived he fled once again. After a brief foot pursuit, Schmidt was arrested and the suspected murder weapon was recovered in a backpack nearby.
Court records show Schmidt has had multiple encounters with the justice system. Schmidt was arrested on several charges, including possession of a weapon and resisting a police officer. Following that arrest, he was released on bail by a judge.
Just months later, in July 2024, Schmidt was arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions. He was released again by the court.
A week later, he was re-arrested for another alleged breach. During those proceedings, a victim wrote a letter to the court urging a judge not to release Schmidt, but he was once again released and sentenced to time served.
In December 2024, Schmidt was found guilty of assault and forcible entry. Despite the convictions, he was sentenced to time served and released.
The B.C. Prosecution Service has not yet announced what sentence Crown prosecutors will seek. That issue is expected to be addressed during future court proceedings.
The case has been adjourned until September 8, when a date will be set for a sentencing hearing. Schmidt remains in custody.