4 inmates charged in killing at B.C. maximum security prison, IHIT says

Kent Institution in the Fraser Valley of B.C. is seen in this file photo. (CTV)

Four inmates have been charged in connection to the death of an inmate at B.C.‘s only maximum security federal prison late last year.

Therae Racette-Beaulieu has been charged with the second-degree murder of 43-year-old Christopher Braun, the Lower Mainland’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said in a news release Friday.

Additionally, Theodore Anderson, Michael Okemow and Joseph Goulet were all charged with assault, IHIT said. Anderson is also facing a charge of aggravated assault, while Okemow has been charged with assault with a weapon.

All of the charges stem from a fight that broke out in the cafeteria at Kent Institution in Agassiz, B.C., on Dec. 15, 2024, according to IHIT, which said “several inmates began assaulting a lone victim.”

Braun died from injuries he sustained in the fight, police said, adding that another inmate was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and two others sustained “minor injuries” in the incident.

IHIT was called to investigate and worked with the Agassiz RCMP, the Correctional Service of Canada, the Integrated Forensic Identification Service and the B.C. Coroners Service on the case.

The B.C. Prosecution Service approved the charges on Thursday, police said, adding that all four accused remain in custody awaiting their first court appearances.