Life sentence for former Prince Albert resident convicted in fatal Red Deer shooting

However, Macklin also said that does not excuse or justify the crime committed by Freed.

It was on Dec. 20, 2019 when Red Deer RCMP were called to the south Walmart in Red Deer, where a man had suffered gunshot wounds in the store’s parking lot after being confronted by a masked man with a gun in what police believe was intended to be a robbery.

The victim, 69-year-old C.J. “Jim” Williams, was rushed to Red Deer Regional Hospital where he died from his injuries.

“It was a senseless and horrific act of violence,” stated Justice Macklin. “The offence was committed in public. Freed was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and he fired several shots, covered his face with a bandana and chased his defenseless victim who was simply trying to get away.”

Macklin further noted that Williams was killed in the presence of his wife.

“Jim Williams was a well-loved and well-respected member of the community. He is missed by his family, helped many, and was a man of great character,” added Macklin.

When given a chance to address the court, Freed suggested he would take back his actions if he could.

“I never meant for things to turn out like this,” he explained. “I really apologize for what happened.”

Dallas Brunette, daughter of Jim Williams, said the apology didn’t seem genuine to her.

“Don’t tell me you’re sorry when you chased my father around the car and you shot him four times,” she exclaimed. “He sat there almost smug. He didn’t seem like he was all that upset. I have compassion for his age, but when he said, ‘I’m sorry and I just didn’t mean to do it’? He meant to do it. You knew what you were doing when you pulled that gun out of your backpack.”

Brunette, however, fondly described her father as a jokester who loved to chat and visit with people.

“If you stopped to talk to him, you were there for a good half an hour,” added Brunette. “Even on the video inside the store, he stopped to talk to the Salvation Army person and he was there for 20 minutes chatting that person up. And he was very helpful just like everybody said. He was there to help all the time.”

(rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

Jim’s son, Billyjack Williams, says he’s glad the court process is over.

“It’s good that he pled guilty and took responsibility for it,” shared Williams. “The sentencing seems to be in scope and they got him for life. So if he doesn’t make the efforts to make his own life better, then he’ll be in there forever.”

Williams admits it’s been very hard for his family to move forward from the tragedy.

“My mother has probably taken the brunt of the worst,” said Williams. “She’s had to leave town. She can’t be here anymore cause of the memories and everything she’s had to deal with. She’s lost her condo, her friends, her church. She’s moved to a different province just to be with family so she could be somewhat whole.”

“It’s tough cause they were the best of friends, my mom and my dad,” added Williams. “They did everything together.”

Williams says he would like the community to remember that his father died while protecting his mother.

“When that incident happened, he made sure she was safe first,” said Williams. “That’s the best I can say.”

(rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

Freed’s co-accused that evening, Crystal Lee Maurice, 32, pleaded guilty to two charges on Dec. 16, 2021.

She was sentenced to six months in jail for theft of a motor vehicle and also given a 12-month Conditional Sentence Order (CSO), and 12 month driving prohibition, followed by 12 months of probation after pleading guilty to failing to stop while being pursued by a police officer.

Two other counts against Maurice, including accessory after the fact to murder, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, were withdrawn.

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by Sheldon Spackman and Alessia Proietti, rdnewsNOW

Life sentence for former Prince Albert resident convicted in fatal Red Deer shooting

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