The man who was seriously injured after an altercation with Prince Albert police earlier this month has died.
Boden Umpherville was seriously injured during an altercation with police where it is alleged that multiple officers used batons and pepper spray during the interaction.
The 40-year-old, with ties to Ahtahkakoop First Nation, would be hospitalized as a result where his family said he was declared brain dead.
He was taken off life support this past weekend and it has been confirmed to MBC News that he passed away Wednesday morning at around 6:30.
“It just hurts right now,” said Chase Sinclair, a close friend of Umpherville who spoke to MBC News after his passing. “There is nothing I can do to make this situation better.”
The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team is currently investigating the matter.
Sinclair hopes to see integrity in the investigation.
“I would like to see honour and equality in their investigation and I would like to see it,” he emphasized. “I would like to see what routes and avenues they take and if it correlates with the public knowledge.”
Sinclair also wanted to ensure Umpherville was remembered as a compassionate person who was family oriented and who could have done great things if his life wasn’t cut short.
“He’s a father of five, he’s a son, he’s a brother, he’s a cousin and is a very loved friend in the community of P.A.,” said Sinclair. “That is what I want to shine… not on the past because if we live in the past we will never move toward the future.”
A funeral and wake service for Boden Umpherville is currently being organized. A fundrasier has been set up for a memorial service.
(PHOTO – Boden Umpherville. Photo provided by Chase Sinclair.)