Calls for accountability in death of Indigenous man in southeast Calgary hotel

The Blood Tribe and friends of a man who died while under police custody in a southeast Calgary hotel on Sept. 17 are looking for accountability.

The victim has been identified as Jon Wells by family, friends and the Blood Tribe.

Wells’ cousin Leslie remembers him with a lot of emotions.

“He was this very, very instrumental figure in the community, in terms of mentoring for the youth, his fellow peers, his friends and the community,” she told CityNews.

“Jon was the kindest man you could ever meet.”

Alberta’s police watchdog says officers fired a conducted energy weapon at Wells and punched him in the head before he was put in restraints and died.

ASIRT says at no point during the interaction was the victim identified, nor was he ever told he was being detained or under arrest.

“It’s almost hard to see the police. It’s hard to trust. Especially for our Indigenous people, when things like this happen, they’re supposed to be our protectors,” said Robert Big Tobacco.

“They see a native, they see an Indigenous person, right away they think he’s a bad person, but it’s not right.”

On Friday, the Blood Tribes’ chief and council released a statement on the incident.

“We ask every member of our community to stand together in unity and strength. Let our voices echo hope, justice and solidarity as we move forward,” said Chief Roy Fox “Makiinima.”

“In addition to other measures, we will be filing a formal complaint against the three officers involved in Mr. Wells’ death.”

Calgary police say the three officers involved in the incident are on a 30-day paid leave, while ASIRT carries out its investigation.

The family of Jon Wells is organizing a prayer walk on the day of Truth and Reconciliation at the Carriage House Inn.