Mall attack victim expected to survive
By JEREMY APPEL on January 7, 2020.
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel The victim of last week’s armed attack at Medicine Hat Mall is in stable condition, according to police. Insp. Brent Secondiak told the News the man – a 72-year-old whose identity hasn’t been revealed – is “expected to make a full recovery.” As of Friday, when police last inquired, he was still hospitalized. “There could be some kind of permanent damage … but he will survive,” Secondiak said. Nicole Simmons, a witness who provided First Aid to the victim, told the News on Friday he was “bleeding severely” from his throat. As for the accused, 40-year-old Paul Fabreau was slated to appear in Medicine Hat Provincial Court Monday, but was mistakenly transferred to Calgary. According to Secondiak, Fabreau’s bail hearing last week – where he was denied release – was done with a justice of the peace over the phone, who “assigned him to court in Calgary.” “It should have been here. It was likely an error in the justice system,” Secondiak said. “The bail office has so many bail hearings, they probably put ‘Calgary’ by accident.” He said there’s a good chance Fabreau will be sent back to Calgary for psychological assessment at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre. Fabreau faces charges of aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon and breach of release documents. The News was unable to confirm the date of his next court appearance by press time. 13-12
