German tourist shot in the head on highway pulls through surgery

MORLEY, ALTA. — Police say a German tourist who was intentionally shot in the head while driving on a highway in southern Alberta could have permanent effects from the injury.

RCMP said a bullet penetrated the head of the 60-year-old man, but he was conscious and talking when he was airlifted to a Calgary hospital.

“The victim did undergo surgery last night,” Sgt. Tom Kalis of the Cochrane RCMP said Friday. “He pulled through the surgery, but might have some lasting, permanent effects as a result of the trauma.”

Kalis said investigators have confirmed the shot came from a suspect — described as a white man with long dark hair — in a small, older-model, black car.

“This was somebody who pulled up beside them, lowered the passenger-side window, pointed a firearm and discharged a shot into his head,” said Kalis. “This was a very intentional act.”

Kalis said police still don’t have a motive for the shooting, but they are investigating whether it could have been road rage.

“We are getting a ton of tips from people,” he said, noting police haven’t had any recent reports of similar shootings on that highway.

Police said they would like to speak to any witnesses — particularly a man driving an RV who might have witnessed what happened, which prompted him to call 911.

The shooting happened just before noon Thursday on Highway 1A near Morley, about 60 kilometres west of Calgary.

Kalis said the tourist was driving a truck near the rodeo grounds of Stoney Nakoda First Nation when he was shot, causing his vehicle to strike a pole.

Three family members who were passengers suffered minor injuries in the crash.

He said they are being supported by RCMP victim services in Cochrane and the German Consulate.