SASKATOON — The family of a man who died in an altercation with hospital security in Saskatoon are disputing whether an imitation firearm was in the room.
Saskatoon police say drugs and an imitation weapon were found in the hospital room where 36-year-old Trevor Dubois died Friday.
His niece Jayden Dubois, and his mother Val Dubois, told a news conference Monday the firearm was a cigarette holder-lighter in bright pink and yellow colours.
Val Dubois said the revelation 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.
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.
Along with the imitation gun, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found in the room, police said.
Trevor Dubois’ 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.
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.”
Ryan Dubois also urged people to not to jump to conclusions, saying, “Let them do the investigation.”
He 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.
Arcand said police should be speaking with the family about what happened. “We’re being blindsided,” he said. “There’s a media statement that’s been sent out that had zero communication with the family.”
Saskatoon police did not immediately respond to a request for comment over the disputed firearm and lack of communication.
Arcand said the family also spoke with the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s CEO Andrew Will. Arcand has urged the security guards be fired and face criminal charges.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Will’s conversation or the employment status of the guards.
The authority said last week there will be an internal review.
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 — and we need emergency action before someone else gets hurt,” NDP deputy leader Vicki Mowat said in a statement.
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.
“It’s unfortunate that these types of things happen, but we need the truth. We need to get to the answers here,” Ron Bear, the chief of Muskoday First Nation, told reporters.
Val Dubois said her son 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 hospital for cancer treatments, staying there overnight until he completed his prescribed rounds, she said.
“Trevor was at the hospital to get help,” she said. “He was scared to take these chemos. After I lost my boy, I’ve (been) in the dark.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2026.
— By Jeremy Simes in Regina
The Canadian Press
