WRHA alarmed after staffer detained, questioned about Henry Avenue slaying

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says it is “deeply concerned” after a employee was detained and questioned by police after a deadly assault near the agency’s main offices last Thursday.

“While on scene investigating this attack, police initially detained one of our WRHA colleagues on suspicion of committing the assault,” WRHA interim CEO Jane Curtis said in an email to the Free Press on Monday.

Curtis said the employee was released from custody “thanks to their team members that made it clear they had been together all day and had no involvement.”

“While we do not yet know all of the details of how things unfolded, we are deeply concerned by the detention of our colleague,” Curtis said. “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.”

City police declined to comment on the detainment on Monday, citing the ongoing investigation in the unprovoked slaying of 55-year-old Ronald Alexander Grego Findlay.

Police said Findlay was discovered seriously injured on nearby Henry Avenue shortly before 1:30 p.m. last Thursday.

Investigators believe he was approached by the suspect and an altercation followed. The suspect brandished a weapon and stabbed the man before fleeing. Findlay was taken to hospital, where he later died.

The attack occurred near the WRHA’s office at 650 Main St. and the ACCESS Centre at 640 Main St., across from the Salvation Army shelter.

No arrest has been made, and police said Monday there was no new information to release. Officers have been canvassing nearby businesses for surveillance footage.

“We are saddened by the senseless attack Friday near our Main Street workplace, and mourn the passing of a fellow community member,” Curtis said.

“There have been incidents of people being accosted down there. It’s just unsafe. It’s not very pleasant.”

“We extend our condolences to the friends and family of Ronald Alexander Grego Findlay, and our sincere gratitude to our colleague and their teammates for their support and compassion throughout this situation, both for each other and our community members.”

The president of a union that represents more than 14,000 health-care workers across Manitoba said the employee was on a break when police stopped and questioned them.

“We’ve had a few incidents happen,” said Margaret Schroeder, president of CUPE Local 204. “There have been incidents of people being accosted down there. It’s just unsafe. It’s not very pleasant.”

Schroeder said many union members believe additional security is needed. While she acknowledged the health authority has been exploring ways to improve employee safety, she said changes often come only after an incident occurs.

“They have safe escort walks and things like that,” Schroeder said. “It’s a shame they have to do that. They are trying. But it could be better.”

She added that the situation presents a “catch-22” because some employees working out of the main office and ACCESS Centre regularly serve people in the surrounding community, making it difficult to determine how much security is appropriate.

“Are we getting to a point where, eventually, we might have to bring some people out (of the main office)?” she said. “What can be done to keep these folks safe?”

Schroeder said staff are expected to go out in pairs and avoid working alone.

“I’ve heard some members say they feel like a sitting duck… Unfortunately, I’ve talked to some who have said that you just eventually get used to it.”

She said cleaning up the area is a difficult discussion because nobody wants to strip services away from people who need them.

“The WRHA is working in partnership with some of the non-profits that are down there helping out,” she said.

She said some members are weary of using the nearby parkade, worried that putting their car window down to grab a ticket could represent an opportunity to be accosted.

“I’ve heard some members say they feel like a sitting duck,” Schroeder said. “Unfortunately, I’ve talked to some who have said that you just eventually get used to it.”

Curtis said the “the safety of our community is our top priority, and we understand our responsibility to build relationships that strengthen safety for everyone.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca