Police tape stretches across an area of the parking lot at Red Deer's south-end Walmart the evening of Dec. 20. 69-year-old Charles (Jim) Williams died after being shot in the chest. (rdnewsNOW/Rene Rondeau and Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman and Josh Hall (rdnewsNOW)

Police believe accused shot at two others after fatally wounding victim

Dec 24, 2019 | 7:11 AM

RED DEER, AB – The 18-year-old accused of murdering a 69-year-old man in an incident Dec. 20 at Red Deer’s south-end Walmart is also accused of shooting his modified semi-automatic rifle at two other people.

RCMP held a news conference Monday to offer an update to the public on how their investigation unfolded.

It was around 6:45 p.m. on Friday when police responded to the Walmart where Charles (Jim) Williams had been shot in the chest. He later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

On Monday, RCMP revealed that Williams was confronted as he was getting in his vehicle, about 200 feet from the store’s entrance. Police, who originally called the incident targeted, believe the suspect intended to rob Williams, adding that it appeared to witnesses they knew each other because they were having a lengthy conversation. On Sunday, they announced it was in fact not targeted.

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After Williams had been shot, bystanders performed CPR. Meantime, Chase Freed (charged with murder, 2x attempted murder) and 30-year-old Crystal Maurice (charged with accessory) are said to have begun fleeing in a stolen black SUV, which is when the other shots were fired. Police say after the two shots aimed at people, more bullets rang out randomly.

The pair drove towards the Rimbey area, where they stole a red Chevrolet. RCMP located the two vehicles and eventually stopped them using a spike belt on Hwy 20 near Hwy 11A.

“I’m just extremely proud of the quick response of the members on this file,” says Inspector Mark Groves, who also offered condolences to the family. “We had numerous units immediately involved. It was the swift action of our emergency response team that ultimately led to the apprehension of these two suspects within hours of the offense.”

Groves thanked the public for its cooperation, and the City for setting up a reception centre and providing buses to evacuate people. No one was allowed to remove their vehicle from the parking lot until Saturday afternoon. Groves added that RCMP Victim Services continue to provide help to anyone who needs it. Their number is 403-406-2355.

“What the original calls came in were (suggesting) was that this was possibly a mass shooting-type incident, and we wanted to let everybody know the culprits had left the scene,” says Groves of the RCMP’s messaging as events unfolded. “These situations are extremely dynamic, and we felt it was necessary to let the public know that social media messages saying there were up to six to eight people shot (were false). We wanted to immediately quell that information.”

Groves went on to say that although they had the pair in custody around 10:30 p.m. Friday, they delayed announcing that until Sunday to ensure they actually did have everyone involved.

“I have to state that this is an extremely safe city. We love this city, our members love this city, and we work with very good people at the City of Red Deer,” Groves continued.

“The amount of public support we’ve received has just been tremendous. It is very, very rare for something like this to happen in our city.”

Mayor Tara Veer, along with several members of city council held a separate presser at City Hall. An emotional Veer thanked first responders, as well as the public for its patience, remarking that the entire community is in shock at what’s transpired.

“The tragedy that occurred leaves our citizens with a very strong sense of unease, uncertainty and fear. This is an unprecedented tragedy in our community. The significance of this random violent act so tragically highlights the seriousness of the crime and safety issues we are facing as a community,” she stated.

“Charles was a loving husband to Roxine, he was a much loved dad, and a proud grandpa. He was an uncle, a cousin, a friend, a neighbour. He was a deeply kind and compassionate person. He was a man who experienced adversity in his life, but all who knew him know that he prevailed as an overcomer. All who had the privilege of crossing paths with him were better (for it).”

A vigil has since been set up outside the Walmart’s entrance.

A vigil is set up outside Red Deer’s south end Walmart, whose parking lot was the site of a deadly shooting on the evening of Friday, Dec. 20. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

Very little is known about the suspects at this time, but Groves said that both are known to police. Freed is new to the city, and is better known by detachments outside Red Deer.

Maurice made a brief appearance by CCTV in Red Deer Provincial Court on Monday. She was arraigned on four counts, including accessory after the fact to murder, failing to stop while being pursued by a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and theft of a motor vehicle.

Through duty counsel, election was reserved on all four counts against Maurice, with her next court appearance slated for Jan. 8, 2020. It’s anticipated Maurice will have legal representation by then.

Freed faces charges of second degree murder, two counts of attempted murder while using a firearm, failing to stop while being pursued by a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and theft of a motor vehicle. Freed remains behind bars as well, with his first court appearance scheduled for Jan. 6, 2020.