On March 17, 2026, the Red Deer RCMP announced charges against a 61-year-old man following a late-night altercation involving weapons in downtown Red Deer. Officers originally responded to the incident on March 2, 2026, after receiving a 911 call at approximately 11:42 p.m. near the intersection of 50 Street and 50 Avenue.
Police received reports that a man was attacking several people with weapons in the area. When officers arrived, they found that multiple victims had sustained injuries, although none were considered life-threatening.
The suspect, identified as Velizar Zonjic, 61, of Red Deer, was arrested and faces several charges, including two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, four counts of assault with a weapon, and one count of resisting or obstructing a peace officer. The investigation remains ongoing as police look into the details of the incident.
This part of the city is monitored by the Red Deer RCMP Downtown Patrol Unit (DPU), a specialized team that focuses on proactive enforcement in the downtown district. The unit includes both regular police officers and community peace officers who work together to address safety concerns and maintain a visible presence in the neighbourhood.
