Family, police dispute imitation firearm in altercation death in Saskatoon hospital

SASKATOON – The family of a man who died in an altercation with hospital security in a Saskatoon hospital are challenging police reports that a fake firearm and drugs played a part in what happened.

Saskatoon police said Monday that methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and an imitation firearm were found in the hospital room where 36-year-old Trevor Dubois died Friday.

But Dubois’s niece Jayden Dubois and his mother Val Dubois told a news conference the firearm was a combination cigarette holder-lighter in bright pink and yellow colours.

Val Dubois said the fake-firearm accusation from police hits like “a dagger.” 

“Trevor would never hurt anybody,” she said. “I just want answers. How did this happen?”

The mother had a cigarette with her son the day before the altercation, and the lighter he used resembled a gun, she said. “That’s the first and only time I’ve seen something that looks like a gun,” Val Dubois said.

Dubois’s brother Ryan Dubois questioned the motives of police when reporters asked about the drugs. “What I’m thinking is they’re just trying to tear apart my brother’s character. They want to justify the actions for the security guards,” he said.

Police say the security officers entered the room last week at Royal University Hospital on reports a firearm was seen inside. They say there was an altercation when security attempted to restrain the man, and he became unresponsive and died. 

The Saskatchewan Health Authority said in a statement that alongside investigations by police and the coroner’s office, it will also conduct its own third-party review into the officer’s use of force. 

A security officer has been suspended pending the outcome of that review. The health authority declined to say how many security guards were involved in the altercation. Both police and the health authority have declined to provide specifics of the weapon or other details, saying the altercation remains under investigation. 

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said in a statement that he’s met with the health authority about safety issues, and he will have more to say in the days ahead.

“The government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority take both patient and staff safety very seriously,” he said.

Trevor Dubois had grown up Métis and later became a member of the Muskoday First Nation, his family said. 

They described him as a caring and flamboyant man with a heart of gold. He helped others, including First Nations youth, struggling with mental health in northern Saskatchewan. He put himself through university and wanted to get his PhD in social work. 

He was diagnosed with brain cancer last month. Early last week, he was admitted to the Saskatoon hospital for cancer treatments, staying there overnight until he completed his prescribed rounds, said Val Dubois.

“Trevor was at the hospital to get help,” she said. “He was scared to take these chemos.”

Mark Arcand, the tribal chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, urged people not to speculate on what happened, but said Trevor “was assaulted and there was a major crime committed that took his life.”

Ron Bear, the chief of Muskoday First Nation, added, “It’s unfortunate that these types of things happen, but we need the truth. We need to get to the answers here.”

Ryan Dubois also urged people to wait on judgment pending the investigations, but questioned the training done for hospital security staff to de-escalate difficult situations. “No security should have the right to kill or murder anyone,” he said.

The Opposition NDP renewed its call for an emergency plan to keep both patients and staff safe at hospitals.

“Safety and security has become a major issue at hospitals — especially here in Saskatoon,” said NDP deputy leader Vicki Mowat in a statement.

“We need emergency action before someone else gets hurt.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2026.

— By Jeremy Simes in Regina