POLICE – Three men charged with conspiracy to kill Kamloops resident

Posted on September 8, 2025 in News, Page One, Police // 0 Comments

Three men have been charged with conspiracy to murder an intended victim in Kamloops in March 2024, say RCMP.

The RCMP Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit said today (Sept. 8, 2025) that Ryan Van Gool, 46, of Harrison Hot Springs, Bryce Telford, 28, of Surrey and Scott Telford, 61, of Surrey are also facing two counts each of possession of a loaded restricted firearm and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm.

No information was released about the alleged intended murder victim. Police said the alleged conspiracy was uncovered during an international investigation into an escape from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre three years ago.

RCMP posters of two men wanted in connection with escape from detention centre.

The escapee, Rabih Alkhalil, officially remains at large, although a news report on the weekend said he has been arrested in Qatar. He was convicted here in absentia of the murder of a rival.

An RCMP statement said today Coquitlam RCMP responded to an incident at the pretrial centre in 2022 after two men posing as contractors aided in the escape of Alkhalil.

Investigation continued into 2023 and led to three counts of conspiracy to commit prison breach and three counts of prison breach against Edward Ayoub, 48, of Ottawa, John Potvin, 49, of Ottawa and Van Gool, the latter also charged in connection with the alleged conspiracy to murder.

Van Gool has also been charged with discharging a firearm with intent, and possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, in relation to an incident in Maple Ridge in 2024.

He and the two Telfords were arrested on Sept. 5, 2025 and remain in custody. Their next court appearance is Sept. 10 in Vancouver. Ayoub is in custody on another matter outside B.C., while John Potvin is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.

Police said all 17 charges against the five men are by direct indictment and will go straight to trial without a preliminary inquiry.

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call local police or Crime Stoppers or call the BOLO (Be On the Lookout) Program tipline at 1-877-687-3377.