An inquest into the death of a 27-year-old man who was shot and killed by Saskatoon Police is set.
The inquest by the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service into Steven Rigby’s death will be held June 21-25 in Saskatoon. He died after being shot during an altercation with police in Saskatoon.
Coroner Tim Hawryluk will preside at the inquest. The coroner’s jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
Saskatoon Police Major Crimes Section investigated the officer-involved shooting, which occurred on Dec. 22, 2018.
Rigby was reported to be driving a vehicle towards Saskatoon and had made threats to harm himself and police. He had a handgun in his possession.
The RCMP used spike belts to partially disable his vehicle. Officers from Saskatoon Police Service responded to the scene near Dundonald Ave. and Valley Road. SPS and RCMP encountered Rigby who refused to comply with their commands. During the incident, Rigby was in contact by phone with several individuals including members of the SPS Crisis Negotiation Unit.
Rigby fired his handgun and police fired back. Rigby was hit by a bullet and taken to hospital where he was declared deceased.
Months before the fatal incident, Rigby was admitted to the emergency department of Battlefords Union Hospital on Aug. 30, 2018, because he attempted suicide or had a clear suicide plan, reported Global News.
Rigby told the hospital that if he had a weapon at that moment he would use it. Forty-five minutes after making that statement he was released from BUH, reported Global News.
Only days before his death, Rigby was at the Dube Centre on Dec. 19, 2018, and had made escalating comments expressing suicidal intent, including provoking police to shoot him, reported Global News.
Rigby’s mom, Carey Rigby-Wilcox launched a website called Steven Rigby’s Mental Wealth Revolution to be a positive platform, which supports those struggling with mental health, their families, and friends.
“Change begins by telling, sharing and hearing the stories of those affected by mental illness,” reads the website.
“These courageously told stories bring hope and encouragement and it creates the spark that invokes real, lasting change. This is what Steven Rigby’s Mental Wealth Revolution is about, sharing, learning and supporting with love and acceptance.”
