Man charged after groping six women in Airdrie and Calgary stores

Shawn Thompson, 30, an Airdrie resident, has been charged with six counts of sexual assault following a series of incidents at retail stores across Airdrie and Calgary between August and September, 2026.

Airdrie RCMP began investigating September 22 after receiving reports of multiple alleged assaults. The first reported incident occurred August 12 at the Airdrie Walmart, where a woman shopping was allegedly grabbed on the buttocks by a man who left without speaking. A second woman was assaulted at the same Walmart on August 29 in a similar manner. On September 17 at the Airdrie No Frills grocery store, two women were allegedly grabbed on the buttocks; one confronted the suspect, but he did not respond and left the business. Police are asking those two women to identify themselves to investigators.

Calgary Police Service alerted Airdrie RCMP to two similar incidents in Calgary: one at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Country Hills on August 15 and another at a Walmart in Deerfoot Meadows on September 1. Investigators from both services reviewed surveillance footage and determined the same suspect was responsible for all six offences. They identified consistent physical characteristics and clothing, along with repeated use of a red SUV throughout the incidents.

A manager at the Airdrie No Frills recognized the suspect and called police, which led investigators to determine Thompson was the individual behind all six assaults. Thompson was arrested September 24 at his Airdrie home. The victims in each case were unknown to the suspect.

Thompson was released on conditions following a judicial interim release hearing and is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie on October 1, 2026. RCMP believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone who believes they were affected or who has information about the investigations to contact Airdrie RCMP.