A 16-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder in the March 2021 death of Clifton Alec Johnston in Port Alberni.
The teen was arrested on Jan. 20 by Port Alberni RCMP. His name can’t be released due to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Johnston’s body was found on the sidewalk on 4th Avenue about 7:20 a.m. on March 27, 2021. Police were called to assist B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics outside the Port Alberni Friendship Centre.
Johnston, 20, was from both Port Alberni and Ahousaht.
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council president Judith Sayers released a statement about Johnston last April.
“We lost a 20-year-old man who still had a world of living to do,” she said. “We know he was valued and loved by many. We are told he had a gentle spirit and would never hurt a soul. He had a life of potential ahead and that was taken from him as a result of violence.”
Sayers said Tuesday that it is good to see an arrest has finally been made.
She said this is a very tough time for Johnston’s family.
Sayers said there is ongoing concern in her organization that the local RCMP needs more staff.
“I think those out there do a good job, we have a good relationship with the Port Alberni RCMP,” Sayers said.
But she said she wished things happened more quickly in the justice system.
“We’re still waiting for charges in some other murders of Nuu-chah-nulth people.”
jbell@timescolonist.com
