A man faces two counts of second-degree murder charges following a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of two individuals near Grande Prairie, Alberta early Saturday. The Grande Prairie Rural RCMP responded to reports of a shooting on a rural road located in the vicinity of Range Road 35 and Township Road 730 in Grande Prairie County, as indicated in a police statement.
Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered two deceased individuals, identified as 54-year-old David Lagace and 44-year-old Michelle Lagace. Cpl. Troy Savinkoff of the Grande Prairie RCMP mentioned that authorities were alerted to an active shooting involving a husband and wife found deceased near their vehicle.
Following an initial inquiry, a potential suspect was identified, leading the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit to assume control of the investigation. A dangerous individual alert was issued for northwestern Alberta around 11:30 a.m., describing the suspect as armed and dangerous, reportedly fleeing in a black truck.
Subsequently, at approximately 1 p.m., law enforcement located the suspect’s vehicle near McLennan, Alberta. The emergency response team, already mobilized for public safety, promptly intervened, resulting in the arrest of the suspect. The RCMP has formally charged 42-year-old Curtis Phillip Halladay with two counts of second-degree murder.
While acknowledging a connection between the suspect and the victims, RCMP refrained from disclosing further details on the nature of their relationship. Cpl. Savinkoff, in a statement to CBC News, described the incident as a “targeted” crime without elaborating on the specifics. Halladay is currently in custody, with a court appearance slated for January 8.