Family members of a man who died after a fight with security at a Saskatoon hospital are disputing claims made by city police about the presence of an imitation firearm in his room.
“I just want answers. I just want to know how did this happen?” said Val Dubois, the mother of Trevor Dubois.
Trevor, 36, was receiving treatment for brain cancer at Royal University Hospital, according to his family.
Saskatoon police say officers were called to the hospital on Friday shortly after 7 a.m. CST, after receiving reports that a man had died.
Police said investigators have determined that hospital security entered a patient’s room after it was reported that a firearm was seen inside.
“When security attempted to restrain the male, a physical altercation took place. During the interaction, the male became unresponsive and was later pronounced deceased,” a police news release said.
After the incident, officers found an imitation firearm, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, police said.
Trevor’s family said police blindsided them by publishing the news release about the incident without telling them what it said.
Val Dubois said the revelation about the imitation firearm from police hits like “a dagger.”
Val said the family had not been consulted or told the information before it was released and they dispute the presence of an imitation firearm, believing it was a bright pink cigarette holder and lighter.
Dubois’ family have since provided media with a photo of a similar model cigarette holder and lighter.
They stressed that the version in Dubois’ possession at the time of his death would have been bright pink with a lime green tip.
Saskatoon police declined to provide a photo of the imitation firearm when asked by CBC, saying they are unable to confirm or comment on specifics as a result of the ongoing investigation.
The police acknowledged a question about the concerns raised by the family and said they are committed to providing updates when appropriate.
At a news conference on Monday, family members were joined by representatives of the Saskatoon Tribal Council.
Relatives said they are “grieving in the dark.”
“We can’t even tell you the exact time that he passed or what went down leading up to it because we don’t know,” said Jayden Dubois, Trevor’s niece.
His older brother, Ryan Dubois, described him as kind and without a “malicious bone in his body.”
Ryan urged people to avoid jumping to conclusions, saying agencies should be allowed to do their investigations.
He questioned the training of security staff at Saskatchewan hospitals, however.
“All Saskatchewan hospital security should have or should be able to prevent violence, calm situations, call police, get help rather than attacking, hurting or killing people,” Ryan said.
Dubois grew up Metis and later became a member of the Muskoday First Nation, his relatives said.
They described him as a caring and flamboyant man with a heart of gold who helped others, including First Nations youth, struggling with mental health in northern Saskatchewan.
“It’s unfortunate that these types of things happen, but we need the truth. We need to get to the answers here,” Muskoday First Nation Chief Ron Bear told reporters.
The family members said they also want answers about what happened in the patient room leading up to the altercation. They said they believe Dubois’ death was preventable.
Marc Arcand, Tribal Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, criticized the health-care system during the news conference.
Saskatoon Royal University Hospital patient death investigation continues
He called on the province and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to address systemic racism against First Nations people in the system, describing Trevor’s death as the “worst-case scenario.”
“He was there to get help. He didn’t die on a surgical table. In our opinion, he was assaulted and there was a major crime committed that took his life,” Arcand said.
He called for First Nations to have some form of oversight of institutions like hospitals.
In a statement issued Monday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said Dubois’ death has been deemed a critical incident, which initiates a legislated process that includes a formal internal review.
It’s also launched a use-of-force review of the security officer.
The officer involved in the altercation with Dubois has been suspended pending the outcome of the review and a related labour relations investigation, the SHA said.
“At this time, and out of respect for the investigative processes and those involved, we are not able to provide further details related to the circumstances of the incident,” the SHA statement read.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill offered his condolences to the family in a statement issued Monday.
“Chief Arcand from STC and I have been in contact on the situation and will continue to work together,” said Cockrill.
“On the topic of facility safety, I have had recent meetings with the SHA to discuss some of these current challenges and will have more to say on those discussions in the days and weeks ahead.”
Last month, the SHA promised to work with Prince Albert Grand Council to hire an Indigenous patient liaison to work in the Victoria Hospital emergency department in Prince Albert after security guards evicted a man from the building and left him outside in the cold. The contracted security guards involved are now banned from working in SHA facilities.
In November, Saskatoon police arrested a man who brought knives and a gun into St. Paul’s Hospital and threatened staff, prompting the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses to call for metal detectors in all hospitals.
A pilot project will use artificial intelligence technology to detect weapons at Royal University Hospital, the SHA said in December.
The NDP also demanded the province develop an emergency plan to improve safety for workers and patients in hospitals.
