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(Image Credit: Red Deer RCMP)
morning of canada day

Pair charged in Red Deer weapons seizure

Jul 28, 2026 | 9:05 PM

Two men have been charged in relation to a weapons seizure in Red Deer on Canada Day.

RCMP say it was at 12 a.m. on July 1 when the detachment’s crime reduction team was conducting proactive patrols in downtown Red Deer. At that time, they observed a known male driving a vehicle while prohibited, they say in a news release.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle, which fled at a high rate of speed and was actively evading police, Mounties add.

RCMP opted not to pursue, in consideration of public safety. However, members continued to investigate, and the vehicle was located a short time later.

As a result, 33-year-old Todd Deschambeault and 19-year-old Ian Smith, both residents of Red Deer, were arrested and charged.

Deschambeault was charged with the following:

  • Careless use of a firearm;
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;
  • Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition;
  • Possession of firearm with tampered serial number;
  • Dangerous operation;
  • Operation while prohibited;
  • Possession contrary to order (x4);
  • Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;
  • Possession of prohibited weapon knowing possession is unauthorized;
  • Drive uninsured motor vehicle on highway;
  • Possession of substance- Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Following a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) hearing, Deschambeault was remanded into custody and was scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on July 3.

Smith was charged with the following:

  • Unsafe storage of a firearm;
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle;
  • Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition;
  • Possession of firearm with tampered serial number;
  • Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;
  • Possession of prohibited weapon knowing possession is unauthorized.

Following a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) hearing, Smith was released on conditions. Smith is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on July 29.

If you have any information regarding crime in Red Deer, contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.