69-year-old killed outside Walmart in Red Deer didn't know shooter, police say after 2 arrested - Action News
Home WebMail Friday, November 22, 2024, 10:43 PM | Calgary | -11.4°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Calgary

69-year-old killed outside Walmart in Red Deer didn't know shooter, police say after 2 arrested

RCMP have made arrests after a 69-year-old man was killed ina shooting outside a Walmart in Red Deer, Alta., on Friday.

18-year-old male, 30-year-old female face charges after Friday shooting that put Walmart in lockdown

The south Red Deer Walmart was closed for several hours after a man was fatally shot in the parking lot on Friday night. (Submitted)

RCMP have arrested two peopleafter a 69-year-old man was killed ina shooting outsidea Walmart in Red Deer, Alta., on Friday.

ChaseFreed, 18,has been charged with five counts, including second-degree murder, attempted murder with a firearmand theft of a motor vehicle.

Crystal Maurice, 30,faces fourcounts, including accessory after the fact to murder and theft of a motor vehicle.

Both are from Red Deer.

RCMP initially said it appeared to be a targeted shooting, butConst. Shelley Nasheim said the investigation has revealed that was not the case.

According to a release, Charles Williams and his wife were leaving the Walmart when they were approached by an individual. After an "altercation," Williams was shot and killed. Initial reports suggested the shooting took place inside the store but it happened in the parking lot.

"They didn't know each other, at all," Nasheim said. "[We] haven't been able to determine, exactly, what their intentions were. It would be purely speculation at this point. But it was an altercation."

The suspect then fled, according to the release, in a stolen vehicle operated by a female, and "then they went out to Rimbey and they stole another one," Nasheim said.

A number of detachments pursued the stolen vehicles. Spike belts were deployed,eventually immobilizingboth vehicles.

The male suspect fled on foot and was apprehended shortly thereafter, while the female suspect remained in one of the stolen vehicles and was arrested.

Freed will appear in court early next year; Maurice is set for court Monday.

Shoppers in lockdownafter shooting

Shoppers reported seeing RCMP officers with rifles and shotguns swarm the store after the shooting took place.

No one else was injured, RCMP said, but shoppers and employees were forced to go into lockdown for multiple hours.

A map shows the location of a Walmart located in Red Deer, Alta., where a shooting took place Friday night. (Google)

A day after the shooting, Walmart's director of corporate affairs, Adam Grachnik, confirmed no associate was injured.

"We are working closely with local RCMP and assembling details about the incident and those involved," Grachnik said in a statement to CBC.

Shoppers and employees were eventuallyallowed to leave the store bybus or cab, but were required to pick up their vehicles the next day while RCMP was investigating.

The Walmart opened for business on Saturday as usual.