Weapon Used In Shooting At Walmart Is Recovered

By Linda Kor
   A weapon discovered at the scene of a suicide in New Mexico has been confirmed through forensics as the weapon used to shoot and kill Simmone Deprins and injure her husband Armand Deprins, both 74, of Concho.
   The couple had just exited the Show Low Walmart on the morning of Monday, March 2, when they were shot by an individual who approached them in the parking lot.
   At approximately 12:50 a.m. the following day, a New Mexico State Police sergeant conducted a traffic stop on a white car that appeared to be driving impaired on Interstate 25 near Albuquerque. As the sergeant exited his police vehicle, the driver of the car, Donald A. Belanger, 55, of Heber, committed suicide.
   One of the weapons found in the vehicle was identified as the one used in the shooting of the Deprins.
   Armand Deprins remains in a Phoenix-area hospital and has undergone several surgeries. Show Low Police Chief Jeffrey Smythe reported that according to Deprins’ family, he is in stable condition.
   The Show Low Police Department has closed its investigation of the shooting, but Chief Smythe still encourages those who may have information regarding the case to contact the department at (928) 537-5091.