Red Deer RCMP Supt. Gerald Grobmeier spoke to the media late Monday night about their investigation into a homicide in north Red Deer earlier in the day. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By Troy Gillard and Sheldon Spackman

charges expected soon

Investigation into doctor’s killing moving “very rapidly”: RCMP

Aug 10, 2020 | 11:13 PM

“I am sickened to learn that a member of our community died in such a violent tragedy.”

An emotional Red Deer RCMP Supt. Gerald Grobmeier gave an update late Monday night on the early stages of the police investigation into the shocking homicide in the city’s north end earlier in the day.

Grobmeier said it was just after 11 a.m. when the call came in about an assault with a weapon in progress at the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic. Emergency crews arrived to find a male victim with severe life threatening injuries. The victim died at hospital.

“The members of the Red Deer RCMP responded within two to three minutes of receiving the initial call and had a suspect in custody within five minutes,” Grobmeier shared. “This was an extremely quick response time and likely prevented further tragedy.”

Grobmeier said an RCMP member was attacked by the suspect with a blunt object but was still able to disarm them and make an arrest.

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The suspect remains in police custody and his name has not been released. He has yet to be charged, but Grobmeier expects that to happen soon.

“This incident remains an active homicide investigation and we expect to have further information to share with you in the coming days,” said Grobmeier, who also wouldn’t confirm whether the suspect was previously known to police.

“In the meantime, I want to make it clear to the citizens of Red Deer that you are safe. This was an isolated incident and there is no concern for your safety.”

Grobmeier also did not give the name of the victim out of respect for their family and the ongoing police investigation, he said.

A witness, Anina Mullin, told rdnewsNOW earlier on Monday that the victim was her family’s doctor.

For the members of his detachment who responded to the traumatic incident, Grobmeier said they’re doing everything they can do support them.

“It will be probably be the worst experience they’ll ever deal with in their life,” he suggested.

“You cannot describe it. They will live with this trauma forever. It’s not just them, the co-workers that were there, the patients, emergency services that arrived on scene. We talk about PTSD in today’s day and age; it’s these types of events that lead to that.”

Grobmeier said the incident is especially shocking given who was involved and the time of day at which it happened.

“It was extremely brazen. These are things that just generally don’t happen. Much of the violence in society is between known individuals of a certain type of lifestyle, drug dealers and those types of people. These types of incidents are very, very rare, thankfully, but when they do (happen) it sends shockwaves through the community.

“At the hospital, our members know many of the doctors and nurses so well because they are there so often. So it certainly hits home. It’s always harder when there’s somebody that you know,” he added. “It is a small community even though we may not know everybody by their names. We all grieve and we all feel together.”

Grobmeier wouldn’t say whether police believe the attack was targeted. He also wouldn’t confirm what weapons were involved, although witnesses reported that the suspect wielded a machete and hammer. No shots were fired by police during the incident.

There’s no indication at this time regarding a motive for the attack, Grobmeier said.

The RCMP Major Crimes unit is leading the homicide investigation. It’s not yet known how long the medical clinic will remain closed.

“Our investigation is moving along very rapidly and we foresee a conclusion coming up shortly,” Grobmeier offered.

Grobmeier encouraged those who witnessed the tragedy, along with anyone else who may be shaken by it, to reach out for help should they feel the need. Red Deer Victim Services is available by calling 403-406-2345.

A vigil for the late doctor is planned for Friday at 7 p.m. at City Hall Park.