Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Canadian Press

UPDATE Man pleads guilty in four deaths in Penticton

Oct 14, 2020 | 1:03 AM

UPDATE

A Penticton man has pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder for the shooting deaths of four Okanagan residents in April 2019.

John Brittain, 69, entered the pleas in B.C. Supreme Court in Kelowna today, with the Crown saying he was upset some neighbours were harrassing his ex-wife.

Rudi Winter, Barry and Susan Wonch and Darlene Knippelberg died — and court documents show Brittain’s sentencing for the attacks is also set to be held today.

==

Dangerous Riding
West Kelowna RCMP searching for highway stunter
Jul 03, 2026
School Road Reconstruction
Major road project in Coldstream to begin Monday
Jul 03, 2026
Canada Day Fire
Residents, fire crews knocked down Canada Day Rail Trail fire
Jul 02, 2026

KELOWNA, B.C. — A man accused in a shooting that left four people dead in Penticton is expected to plead guilty today in court.

A lawyer for 69-year-old John Brittain told a B.C. Supreme Court judge on Oct. 5 that his client intended to plead guilty to four indictments.

Brittain was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder after the shooting in April last year.

Rudi Winter, Barry and Susan Wonch and Darlene Knippelberg were all killed.

The RCMP said the shootings were targeted and the victims, who were neighbours of Brittain’s ex-wife, knew one another.

A two-day sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Brittain, who is a former employee of the City of Penticton.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2020.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press
View Comments

Other Matters

25 Years of Operation
Hospice House anniversary celebration a success
North Okanagan Hospice Society celebrated a milestone year for the Hospice House with a successful Kentucky Derby Garden Party.The organization (NOHS) held the party with around 85 guests adorned in fitting attire for the theme such as elegant hats, beautiful dresses and sharp suits who enjoyed snacks and drinks, parti...
Jul 05, 2026
Read More
Park Upgrades
Work to enhance Rutland Recreation Park begins Monday
Work on the next phase of improvements at Rutland Recreation Park begins next week and will take several months to complete.Starting Monday, July 6, crews will be working to upgrade the park with an addition of a new artificial turf field, walking pathways, event space, irrigation and lighting upgrades, and servicing f...
Jul 05, 2026
Read More
Facility Upgrade
Kalavista tennis courts closing for resurfacing work
Tennis courts in Coldstream will be closed to the public for several weeks.Starting Monday, July 6, the Kalavista Tennis Courts will be closed to the public for resurfacing work.The project will be done in phases. The work will start with crews removing the existing surface, repairing and regrading the subbase, and ins...
Jul 03, 2026
Read More
Mechanical Issues
Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool pushed back again
The Lavington Outdoor Pool faces another delay before opening.The pool was slated to open June 27, but mechanical issues were found at the facility that needed to be remedied.The District of Coldstream said at the time that the repairs would be completed in time to reopen the pool by July 6.However, an update from the ...
Jul 03, 2026
Read More
Two Fires Thursday
West Kelowna Fire Rescue extinguish two grass fires, RCMP investigating one
West Kelowna firefighters responded to two grass fires Thursday, one of which is being investigated by police.At around 1 p.m. on July 2, West Kelowna Fire Rescue (WKFR) were dispatched to the 2300 block of Dominion Road.Firefighters arrived on the scene and discovered an approximately 30 by 30 foot grass fire that loc...
Jul 03, 2026
Read More
Dangerous Riding
West Kelowna RCMP searching for highway stunter
West Kelowna RCMP have put out a call for public assistance to help identify the driver of a motorcycle who was riding dangerously.Mounties were travelling south on Highway 97 near Grizzly Road at around 5 p.m. Thursday when they observed a sport motorcycle doing dangerous stunts, including riding on one wheel, or 'cat...
Jul 03, 2026
Read More
Armstrong Shamrocks, Vernon Tigers Set Sights on TOSLL Championship Weekend
VERNON - The Armstrong Shamrocks and Vernon Tigers will both chase a Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League championship this weekend in Kelowna. Armstrong heads into the weekend as the top seed after a dominant regular season that saw the Shamrocks post a 7-1 record. Their reward is a semifinal matchup against the f...
Jul 03, 2026
Read More
School Road Reconstruction
Major road project in Coldstream to begin Monday
Significant work on a Coldstream road will begin next week.Starting Monday, July 6, crews will be working on reconstructing School Road between Lavington Way and Learmouth Road. School Road where the reconstruction work will take place (Image Credit: District of Coldstream) The project will include widening the shoulde...
Jul 03, 2026
Read More
Some Areas Safe for Public Use
Kalamoir Park partially reopening
A park in West Kelowna burned in a wildfire in June will partially reopen Friday.Starting at noon July 3, the portions of the park will reopen including the Collens Hill Road entrance, Sunnyside Trail, and the dog designated Bowser Beach.The portions reopening to the public had undergone hazard tree and geotechnical as...
Jul 03, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Dangerous Riding
West Kelowna RCMP searching for highway stunter
Jul 03, 2026
School Road Reconstruction
Major road project in Coldstream to begin Monday
Jul 03, 2026
Canada Day Fire
Residents, fire crews knocked down Canada Day Rail Trail fire
Jul 02, 2026
Mayoral Campaign
Kari Gares running for Mayor of Vernon with focus on innovation, infrastructure and future generations
Jul 02, 2026
Youth Mental Health Supports
Swimmer to traverse Okanagan Lake in support of Foundry projects
Jun 30, 2026