Police watchdog investigating man’s death at James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan

The death of a man following his arrest on a First Nation northeast of Saskatoon is currently under investigation by Saskatchewan’s police watchdog.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team is looking into the incident that occurred at James Smith Cree Nation, where Mounties were called in response to reports of a man using bear spray inside a residence.

In an official statement, the agency revealed that the 29-year-old individual fled upon being informed by officers that he was going to be arrested under the Mental Health Services Act.

A brief foot pursuit ensued, leading to the man being apprehended without the use of force and subsequently handcuffed.

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The statement confirmed that a conducted energy weapon (stun gun) was drawn but not used during the pursuit.

Subsequently, the man experienced medical distress and passed away despite attempts to save his life, including multiple administrations of naloxone.

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Notably, James Smith Cree Nation was previously the scene of a tragic mass stabbing that resulted in 10 fatalities and 17 injuries, followed by another fatality in the neighboring community of Weldon.

With files from Global News.