The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says it’s “deeply concerned” that one of its employees was detained by police at the scene of a fatal stabbing near its office downtown last week.
Officers found a man seriously injured on Henry Avenue — beside the WRHA building, across from the Salvation Army shelter — shortly after 1:15 p.m. Thursday, police said in a news release Saturday.
Ronald Alexander Grego Findlay, 55, was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he died from his injuries, police said in the release.
“We are saddened by the senseless attack … near our Main Street workplace, and mourn the passing of a fellow community member,” WHRA interim chief executive officer Jane Curtis said in a statement Monday.
“The safety of our community is our top priority, and we understand our responsibility to build relationships that strengthen safety for everyone.”
In her statement, Curtis said police investigating the attack initially detained a WRHA colleague on suspicion of committing the attack, and the employee was released from custody thanks to co-workers who made it clear they had been together all day.
“While we do not yet know all of the details of how things unfolded, we are deeply concerned by the detention of our colleague,” the statement says.
“We are engaging collaboratively with the Winnipeg Police Service to learn more. We have offered support to all staff who were impacted by this incident.”
The health authority CEO’s statement confirms comments made by the union representing health-care workers on the weekend.
Margaret Schroeder, president of CUPE Local 204, told CBC News a WRHA worker who was not involved in the assault was detained by police Thursday.
“We had some workers who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, you know. They were out for a break, and they were questioned,” she said in an interview Saturday.
Safety in the area is “always an ongoing concern,” with union members feeling vulnerable whenever they enter and exit the WRHA building and its parkade, Schroeder said.