On Aug. 14, 2025, around 8:50 a.m., Westlock RCMP received a call from the public regarding a suspicious vehicle in the area of Range Road 222A and Township Road 654 matching the description of the vehicle driven by Billy Deren. Athabasca RCMP, with assistance from Westlock RCMP, Alberta RCMP Remotely Piloted Aircraft Services (RPAS) and Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), established containment, made contact with the suspect and conducted the arrest without incident.
As a result of the investigation, Billy Deren (46), a resident of Athabasca, was charged with:
- Attempted murder;
- Pointing a firearm;
- Reckless use of a firearm; and
- Other firearm-related offences (x5).
Deren will be brought before a justice of the peace for judicial interim release hearing.
“We want to extend our thanks to the public who were not only vigilant but took the time to contact us with a tip that led to his arrest” said S/Sgt Mark Hall, Detachment Commander of the Alberta RCMP. “Thanks to this information, as well as the coordination between various RCMP Detachments and Units, we were able to quickly contain and arrest the suspect, stopping any potential future harm to the public”.
Background:
On Aug. 13, 2025, around 5:38 a.m., Athabasca RCMP received a call stating that a man may have shot a 44-year-old Rochester, Alta., female resident. Athabasca RCMP arrived on scene but the suspect had since fled. The woman was airlifted by STARS to the hospital for serious life-threatening injuries. Further investigation confirmed that the suspect was Billy Joe Henry Deren, a 46-year-old Athabasca resident. An arrest warrant has been issued for Deren, who is known to drive a Black 2014 Ford F150 with AB plates BLT1508.
Deren is described as:
- Light complexion;
- 5 feet, 5 inches;
- 130 pounds;
- Brown hair; and
- Blue eyes.
If you have information about the whereabouts of Deren, please contact the Athabasca RCMP at 780-808-8400, or your local police. Do not approach him. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play. To contact RCMP non-emergency line within any Alberta RCMP jurisdiction call 310-RCMP(7267).
