A marked outline on the road of a snow-packed back lane in Eastview is what remains after police reported Red Deer’s first homicide of the year.
At about 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday, Red Deer City RCMP found the body of a male in his late teens or early 20s while responding to a disturbance complaint on the 3700 block of Ross Street.
Police allege he was shot and died of his injuries.
Red Deer City RCMP Cpl. Sarah Knelsen said the autopsy was to be performed on Wednesday morning.
Police have released no other details about the New Year’s Day death.
But the body was found near a suspected drug house, according to people who live in the area.
Resident Cassandra Creighton, 24, said she didn’t hear any gunshots and was shocked to hear of the homicide.
“When I first went out there, around 8:30 or 9 Tuesday morning, a police officer came up to us and said, ‘Go back to your house. This is a crime scene.’ The whole alley was blocked off,” Creighton said on Wednesday.
“This is the worst. I think it’s time to get out of this area. Too much.”
Resident Kathleen Wettlaufer was surprised to find out about the homicide, but said crime in the area is on the rise.
“This is a bit of a rough neighbourhood. There’s been a lot of break-ins.”
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com