On June 18th just before 1:00 a.m. Officers were dispatched to the 500 block of 5th Avenue North to respond to several calls of a male who had been causing a disturbance and screaming that someone was trying to kill him. Witnesses said he was carrying a large butcher knife and a bottle of alcohol. When officers arrived, the 32 year old male fled on foot. Officers located him a short time later on Queen Street. The male’s face was covered in blood.

While officers were determining what happened, the male became aggressive and confrontational with police and appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicant. He began spitting blood at the attending officers. There was a brief struggle while officers were taking the man into custody. Medavie was called to treat the injuries to the man’s face. He became unresponsive when Medavie arrived and died on his way to the hospital.

The Saskatoon Police Service has asked the Regina Police Service to conduct independent, external investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. In Addition, The Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety will appoint an Independent Observer.