Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is continuing its investigation into the death of a 27-year-old man who became unconscious while being held at an Edmonton Police Service (EPS) detention facility.
According to an update released on Friday, the man was arrested shortly before 8 p.m. on September 16 on suspicion of shoplifting and breaching his release conditions. He was taken to the EPS Detainee Management Unit, where he remained in custody pending a bail hearing.
An on-site paramedic conducted an initial medical assessment after his arrival. The man was subsequently placed in a holding cell fitted with biometric monitoring equipment.
Man Found Unconscious Before Release
The following day, September 17, a justice of the peace ordered the man’s release during a bail hearing conducted by video conference.
Shortly after 5:20 p.m., detention staff transferred him to a release cell shared with two other detainees while the necessary paperwork was being completed.
Unlike the earlier holding cell, the release cell was equipped with closed-circuit television cameras but did not have biometric monitoring devices, according to ASIRT.
Investigators reviewing the surveillance footage found that the man appeared to move around inside the cell until approximately 6:40 p.m., when he lay down on the floor.
At 7:02 p.m., an officer entered the cell to complete the release process and found the man unconscious.
Emergency Treatment Provided at Detention Facility
Staff removed the man from the cell, and an on-site paramedic began emergency treatment while an ambulance was called. Despite the response, the man died before he could be transported to hospital.
Authorities have not provided further details about the cause of death in the latest update. The circumstances leading to the medical emergency remain under investigation.
ASIRT said the information released so far reflects the findings investigators have established at this preliminary stage. Officials also noted that disclosure of further details must be balanced against the need to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Independent Agency Leading the Investigation
ASIRT, which operates under the Police Review Commission, is an independent, civilian-led body responsible for investigating potential criminal offences involving police officers in Alberta.
Its mandate includes cases involving serious injuries or deaths in circumstances where police conduct may have played a role.
The investigation into the Edmonton custody death remains ongoing. Further information may be released as investigators establish additional facts and determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
