A 69-year-old man was shot to death in front of Red Deer鈥檚 south Walmart Friday evening.
鈥淧reliminary information suggests that this was a targeted shooting, and, as the incident has concluded, there is no further danger to the general public,鈥� said RCMP Friday night.
鈥淢embers have determined that shots were fired in the front entrance of the store.
鈥淭here are online reports stating multiple victims, but we can confirm that this is incorrect.鈥�
A dozen police cars blocked off all access to Walmart鈥檚 parking lot and police tape was strung up along the south end of the lot.
鈥淚 was just about to leave the store and someone said, 鈥楨veryone down and away from the glass. Nobody leaves the store,鈥� 鈥� said shopper Corinne Smyl Lawson.
Smyl Lawson said an employee told her what had happened.
鈥淥ne of the employees said someone had been shot in the chest,鈥� she said.
We can confirm that one person required emergency medical care as a result of the incident at the South #RedDeer Walmart. Scene is contained and members have a perimeter blocked. Please avoid the surrounding area as the investigation is underway.
鈥� RCMP Alberta (@RCMPAlberta) December 21, 2019
Shoppers and staff were not allowed to take their vehicles from the lot.
Around 8:30 p.m., people in the store were allowed to leave through a back door.
鈥淭he store went into total lockdown,鈥� said Smyl Lawson.
鈥淲e (saw) nothing that happened on the outside.鈥�
RCMP said in a news release shortly before 10 p.m. that members from surrounding detachments supported the response.
鈥淭he area is contained and it is no longer an active scene,鈥� said RCMP. 鈥淭he scene will be barricaded as members conduct the investigation.鈥�
Smyl Lawson credited Walmart staff for their cool response to the emergency.
鈥淵ou know what? Walmart employees handled it great. All the patrons in the store were wonderful. There was great support. Everybody is very calm in there.鈥�
