On Jan. 30, at about 11:40 p.m., the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) was called to a domestic disturbance at the Chateau Louis Hotel. Officers interviewed the complainant; however, the individual reportedly causing the disturbance had already left the scene.
At approximately 4:31 a.m., police were again called to the Chateau Louis on a report of a disturbance involving the same individual. The 38-year-old man was located and taken into custody without incident. The man was placed in the back of an EPS patrol wagon at 4:59 a.m. and transported to the Detainee Management Unit (DMU) at EPS headquarters downtown. Upon arrival at approximately 5:26 a.m., officers opened the vehicle doors and found the man unresponsive and not breathing. Officers and the paramedic on site at DMU were able to resuscitate the man and continued treatment until an ambulance arrived. At approximately 5:47 a.m., the man was transported by ambulance and admitted in critical condition to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, where he remains.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man’s arrest and transport, to determine whether police conduct may have caused or contributed to the man’s medical distress.
As ASIRT’s investigation is underway, no further information will be released at this time.
This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.