Thanks to a tip sent in by the public, the Athabasca RCMP, alongside the Westlock detachment, have arrested the man they believe is responsible for an early morning shooting incident that left a woman in serious condition.
Around 8:50 a.m. on Aug. 14, Westlock RCMP received a call from the public about a suspicious vehicle that matched the description the RCMP provided for Billy Deren's truck, a black Ford F-150. Thanks to help from the Alberta RCMP Remotely Piloted Aircraft Services (RPAS) and the RCMP's Emergency Response Team, police were able to contain the truck and arrest Deren without incident.
Deren, 46, has been charged with attempted murder, pointing firearm, reckless use of a firearm and five other firearms related offences. He will be brought before a justice of the peace for a judicial interim release hearing. The allegations have not been proven in court.
“We want to extend our thanks to the public who were not only vigilant but took the time to contact us with a tip that led to his arrest” said Staff Sgt. Mark Hall, Detachment Commander of the Athabasca RCMP. “Thanks to this information, as well as the coordination between various RCMP Detachments and Units, we were able to quickly contain and arrest the suspect, stopping any potential future harm to the public”.
