Police believe Monday’s shocking killing of a doctor in north Red Deer was premeditated.
Dr. Walter Reynolds died in hospital after he was attacked just after 11 a.m. Monday at the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic.
Red Deer RCMP Supt. Gerald Grobmeier announced during a noon hour media conference on Tuesday that Deng Mabiour, 54, of Red Deer has been charged with first-degree murder. He’s also charged assault with a weapon and assault on police officer and is due to appear in Red Deer provincial court again on Wednesday.
“This was not a random attack, and was targeted,” Grobmeier said, noting that police had no previous history with Mabiour.
He added that police have determined a possible motive for the killing but did not provide details. Grobmeier did note that RCMP are not aware of Mabiour having any mental issues.
Grobmeier commended those who acted bravely during Monday’s attack.
“Dr. Reynolds’ colleagues as well as members of the public (who were) in the clinic acted quickly to come to the aid of the victim and to minimize the harm to others,” he said.
Reynolds is being remembered fondly by those who knew him, and those who didn’t are also showing their support.
Response to a GoFundMe campaign in support of the Reynolds family has been overwhelming with over $65,000 having been raised as of 11 a.m. Tuesday.
“His friends, colleagues and community mourn an exceptional human being lost too soon. We all are devastated and heartbroken,” reads the GoFundMe page.
Family physician Dr. Peter Bouch says he’s not surprised to see the community stepping up in such a huge way.
“Red Deer is a great community, always has been a great community. They stand behind their family doctors,” Bouch said Tuesday. “I know his patients, in talking to one or two of them, really thought he was a great doctor and a great help in many of their times when they had problems. It’s not surprising for me to see this outpouring just because he was a good guy and really a good physician.”
Bouch remembers Reynolds as a dedicated family man who loved his wife and two daughters.
“He was always talking about them on occasions that we would meet. He was also a dedicated doctor towards his patients.”
Bouch says Reynolds, like him a native of South Africa, worked for nearly a decade to find his footing before settling in at the Village Mall clinic.
“There are a lot of family physicians and some specialists from South Africa, and we all know who each other are and we will support each other in times of need, and this is definitely that time. I think we will all reach out to his family and support them.”
Bouch says the tragedy has hit the local medical community hard.
