Vigil at MH hospital for slain Red Deer doctor

By GILLIAN SLADE on August 14, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

There will be a vigil in Medicine Hat to remember the Red Deer physician who was killed in an attack on Monday.

The vigil for Dr. Walter Reynolds will take place tonight at 7 p.m. near the old entrance to the hospital, where you would enter to reach the atrium.

A local doctor says the timing has been chosen to align with a vigil occurring in Red Deer.

Reynolds, 45, was attacked with a hammer and a machete in a medical clinic on Monday and subsequently died. Deng Mabiour, 54, of Red Deer has been charged with first-degree murder.

Mabiour appeared before a judge Wednesday via video link. He told the judge he did not remember anything because he is sick and asked for a doctor. The case was put over to Sept. 9.

In Medicine Hat several physicians have said it hit close to home for them.

“This event was certainly shocking and makes one feel ill,” said Dr. Donovan Nunweiler, Southlands Medical Clinic. “I know some of my colleagues have been affected emotionally by this more than I have. They also feel vulnerable and afraid.”

Nunweiler says he has been told by physicians who have worked in the U.S. that some clinics have patients pass through a metal detector.

“I do not feel threatened in any way,” said Nunweiler.

He says there are times when there is a disagreement with a patient regarding a prescription or investigation but has never escalated.

“I feel a close connection (and I hope the feeling is mutual) with my patients and I do not believe any of them would do something as horrific as plan to kill someone,” said Nunweiler.

His clinic has some safety measures in place but they have never had to call police because of a patient.

“I truly believe that this incident resulting in the death of a family physician is a rare occurrence,” said Nunweiler, expressing his sadness and condolences for Reynolds’ family and colleagues.

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