Jim Primeau has made some remarkable recovery but has a long way to go. (GoFundMe)

By Susan McNeil

Landlord shooting

Bail hearing held for man accused of shooting landlord

Aug 6, 2025 | 4:25 PM

A decision will not be made until Friday, but the family of a Prince Albert landlord shot in the throat following an eviction was on hand at court today as both Crown and defence made submissions as to whether Preston Bird should be released on bail.

The Crown wants Bird to remain in jail and argued their point based on public safety and the concept that releasing him would bring the administration of justice into disrepute.

Bird’s legal counsel countered that he should be released and given a GPS monitoring ankle bracelet, the strictest form of bail that is available.

The evidence is covered under a publication ban sought by both parties and can’t be published.

Previous information given to paNOW by the family of Jim Primeau, the victim of the shooting, was that he evicted a tenant from a home he owned the afternoon of June 4.

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He initially allowed the woman to move in out of sympathy as she had young children, according to Primeau’s sister, but the tenant then did not pay rent.

Shortly after the tenant left, a man – whom the police allege was Preston Bird – returned and shot Primeau in the throat.

According to his family, Primeau has made an amazing recovery as his prognosis was initially not good, but he is now paralyzed and unable to speak.

Judge Hugh Harradence said he needed some time to weigh the submissions and set his decision date for this coming Friday in Prince Albert Provincial Court.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social