Many local physicians, some with their spouses, Stand outside Medicine Hat Regional Hospital to honour Dr. Walter Reynolds who was attacked and died in Red Deer on Monday.--NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
At the going down of the sun in Medicine Hat many gathered to remember a physician in Red Deer whose life was cut short by a brutal attack in his office on Monday.
Dr. Nicoelle Wanner led the vigil saying that even though local physicians did not know Dr. Walter Reynolds personally it was important to remember him. It was also an opportunity to show support for his wife and daughters.
“To demonstrate solidarity and be there for each other in good times and bad,” said Wanner.
The timing of the vigil outside Medicine Hat Regional Hospital was chosen to align with a vigil occurring in Red Deer.
Originally from South Africa, Reynolds, a 45-year-old husband and father, was born on Jan. 6, 1975. He was fatally attacked with a hammer and a machete in a medical clinic in Red Deer on Monday. Deng Mabiour, 54, of Red Deer has been charged with first-degree murder.
Dr. Monty Van Der Westhuizen, also originally from South Africa, said he was shocked and called it a very sad day.
“Solidarity for a colleague and family man … an awesome dad and family physician.”
Dr. Adrian Kriel said it was “terrible” and that his wife and children probably don’t have many family in Canada for support at a time like this.
Kriel said nobody would have thought that an attack like this could happen in a walk-in clinic.
“It’s a wake-up call,” said Kriel
Rev. Jim Hillson, Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, brought a large poster on which he’d written:
“Thank you for the risks that you take to take care of us.”
Hillson said he is grateful to the South African doctors who have come to Canada and to Medicine Hat.
“It just feels so sad. It hits really close to home,” said Dr. Debkant Jena.
Mabiour appeared before a judge on 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.
Dr. Fred Rinaldi said she was also thinking of the family of the accused and pointed out that regardless of what he has done his family would not stop loving him.
