Family members of a man who passed away following an altercation with security at a Saskatoon hospital are raising concerns regarding the account provided by city police about an imitation firearm found in his room.
Val Dubois, mother of Trevor Dubois, expressed her desire for clarity on the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. Trevor, aged 36, was undergoing treatment for brain cancer at Royal University Hospital, as per his family’s statement.
According to Saskatoon police, they were summoned to the hospital on Friday morning after reports of a man’s death. Police disclosed that hospital security entered the patient’s room following a report of a firearm on the premises. A physical altercation ensued when security attempted to subdue the individual, resulting in his unresponsiveness and subsequent passing, stated a police press release.
Authorities mentioned discovering an imitation firearm, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia after the incident. The family of Trevor Dubois expressed dismay at the police’s unilateral release of information, particularly the mention of the imitation firearm, which they claim was a bright pink cigarette holder and lighter.
Insisting on their perspective, the family shared an image of a comparable cigarette holder and lighter model believed to be in Trevor’s possession, described as bright pink with a lime green tip. Saskatoon police declined to provide a photo of the alleged imitation firearm when requested by CBC, citing the ongoing investigation.
During a news conference, family members and representatives from the Saskatoon Tribal Council conveyed their distress over the lack of information surrounding the incident. Describing Trevor as a compassionate individual devoid of ill intentions, his brother, Ryan Dubois, called for restraint in forming conclusions and emphasized the need for thorough investigations.
The family highlighted Trevor’s contributions to supporting First Nations youth in northern Saskatchewan and lamented the preventable nature of his demise. Muskoday First Nation Chief Ron Bear underscored the necessity for transparency and criticized the healthcare system, advocating for First Nations oversight in institutions like hospitals.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority classified Dubois’s death as a critical incident, triggering an internal review process. Additionally, a use-of-force evaluation on the security officer involved has been initiated, leading to the officer’s suspension pending the review outcome.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill extended condolences to the family and expressed commitment to collaborating with Chief Arcand from STC to address the situation. The SHA’s recent efforts to enhance hospital safety, including the deployment of AI technology to detect weapons and the appointment of an Indigenous patient liaison, were highlighted in the context of ongoing challenges in healthcare security.