The RCMP Major Crimes Unit is investigating a break-in at a rural home in central Alberta on Monday night that left a man dead and sent another to hospital.
Police said officers were called to a break and enter in progress at a residence off of C and E Trail in Red Deer County at 3:11 p.m.
“Upon arrival, police discovered that the homeowner had sustained injuries and another male in the residence had sustained a gunshot wound,” the RCMP said in a news release. “EMS attended and pronounced the male with the gunshot wound as deceased.”
“The homeowner was transported to the hospital where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.”
On Tuesday, the RCMP said the homeowner has since been released from hospital.
On Monday, police did not say if they have any suspects in the break-in or if they have made any arrests. However, they noted “there is no ongoing danger to the public.”
On Tuesday, police confirmed that no charges have been laid “at this time.” They added that while their work to determine exactly what happened is ongoing, a preliminary investigation suggests to them that the man who was shot and later died broke into the home and became involved in “an altercation” with the homeowner.
Teri Ryan is a neighbour of the homeowner who was injured in the incident. She described an unsettling scene when police arrived at the property.
“(I) just didn’t know what had happened over there but was worried because of… how many police officers were there,” she told Global News. “And the fact that there were two ambulances had me concerned that they were hurt.
“(We were) just saying our prayers that he’s going to be fine.”
Some residents of the area told Global News that police had been called to the area for a suspected break-in just two days before the break-and-enter that turned deadly.
Ryan said break-ins are common in the area and she believes that is because Penhold and the surrounding community is quite small and does not have a significant police presence.
Dana Depalme, a Red Deer County councillor, told Global News on Tuesday that rural crime is a problem her council is trying to address.
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“We’re trying to inform residents about how they can protect themselves and make their property less appealing,” Depalme said.
–With files from Global News’ Adam MacVicar
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