Friday night (Dec. 20) Red Deer RCMP responded to a report of a shooting at the South Red Deer Walmart. Police determined that shots were fired at the front entrance of the store. As a result Charles (Jim) Williams, 69, was fatally shot.
Williams and his wife were leaving Walmart when he was approached by an individual unknown to them. An altercation broke out and Williams was shot. The suspect fled the scene in a stolen vehicle driven by a female. RCMP said the shooting wasn't targeted.
RCMP Air Services, Police Dog Services, the Emergency Response Team and RCMP members from surrounding detachments were deployed to assist. Rimby RCMP received a report of a stolen vehicle from their detachment area and shortly thereafter both stolen vehicles were observed by RCMP Air Services. Spike belts were deployed and successfully immobilized both vehicles. A female suspect remained in one of the stolen vehicles and was arrested. The male suspect fled on foot and was arrested shortly after. Both suspected were in custody by 10:30 p.m. Friday evening.
Chase Freed, 18 and Crystal Maurice, 30, both of Red Deer, face several charges. Freed has been charged with second degree murder, attempted murder while using a firearm (x2), fail to stop while being pursued by a police officer, dangerous operation and theft of a motor vehicle. Maurice has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder, fail to stop while being pursued by a police officer, dangerous operation and theft of a motor vehicle.
Freed has been remanded to appear in court on January 6, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. in Red Deer. Maurice has been remanded to appear in court on Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m. in Red Deer.
No further information will be provide as this matter is before the courts.
