A 54-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a Red Deer doctor Monday.
Deng Mabiour, of Red Deer, has also been charged with assaulting a police officer and assault with a weapon.
A responding police officer suffered minor injuries, said police.
On Monday at around 11:10 a.m., Red Deer RCMP responded to an assault in progress at the Village Mall Walk-in Clinic. A physician with life-threatening injuries was taken to hospital, where he died.
Red Deer RCMP Supt. Gerald Grobmeier said at a Tuesday news conference it was a targeted attack and the accused was known to his victim, Dr. Walter Reynolds, 45.
“This was not a random attack, and the first-degree murder charge speaks to the premeditated nature of this incident,” said Grobmeier.
“The individual went into the clinic for that purpose.”
Grobmeier said he can’t confirm whether Mabiour was a patient.
“But I can confirm the two knew each other through the clinic.”
Grobmeier said the alleged motive of the attack and the weapons involved will come up when the case is in front of the court.
Mabiour is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court Wednesday.
Grobmeier said Mabiour was not known to the police.
“We have no history from this individual,” he said.
“There were many witnesses and people who acted bravely during this assault, and we encourage anyone to reach out for support as these incidents can be traumatic and difficult to process.”
There were about 13 people at the clinic during the time of the attack.
READ ALSO: Vigil scheduled Friday for Red Deer doctor
Grobmeier said in his 27 years of service, he has never seen a physician attacked in this manner.
Reynolds was the married father of two young girls.
“What the community is going through: I would imagine shock that this could happen to a doctor who is working in the community and providing services to people, especially front line during COVID,” Grobmeier said.
Red Deer Victim Services is available to anyone looking for support and can be reached by calling 403-306-2345, said RCMP.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Want to support local journalism? Make a donation here.
