INNISFAIL – A manslaughter charge has been laid in connection to the brutal killing of an Innisfail man.
Winston "Drew" Grant, 27, died during the evening of April 24 in downtown Innisfail following an altercation that was reportedly caught on surveillance video. Charged with manslaughter is 40-year-old Malcolm "Nathan" Bourgeois of Innisfail.
Kaval Sran, manager at the Zoo nightclub at the Innisfail Hotel, said staff were notified of an injured man on the sidewalk outside their establishment last Wednesday evening.
Sran said he called an ambulance and police, while patrons tried to help the victim, who is now identified as Grant.
"He was lying down on the ground and people were doing CPR on him because he was not breathing," said Sran, who confirmed an altercation was recorded that evening on surveillance video.
On April 25, the Innisfail Hotel posted a message on its Facebook page about the incident.
"In regards to what happened outside of our bar last night our condolences go out to all family, friends and anyone affected in this tragic time. Thank you to everyone who helped you did amazing," said the hotel's statement.
Innisfail RCMP responded to an injured male on the sidewalk at about 10:30 p.m. in the area of 51st Avenue and 49th Street.
Police said the male was transported to hospital by EMS where he succumbed to his injuries.
Police said an autopsy on Grant was conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Calgary on April 26.
Sran said he and staff were shocked and saddened by the incident.
"This is the first time (something like this has happened). It could have happened anywhere,” said Sran. "We tried our best to help that person out but unfortunately he died. It is sad and shocking that someone died and in front of us."
The Innisfail community, including residents, local businesses, friends, and people who knew Grant and his family, has shown an outpouring of support on social media.
They are remembering Grant as a friendly but quiet, polite and respectful young man.
Pastor Gerald Bradbury, of Innisfail's CenterPoint Church, recalled some memories of Grant when he attended the church and events for several months in 2017.
“Drew came with a couple of his friends to our mid-week café,” said Bradbury. “As we got to know him, some of the renovations were happening with the café and our church and Drew volunteered a bit of time with us. He was pretty excited about that.
“He also came to a few church services and he volunteered to help out with our first (Good Friday) Cross Walk,” he added.
“Drew was a very friendly guy. He was quiet but very nice.”
Bradbury said the church helped Grant with some issues he was facing at that time in his life.
“We talked to him about some help in Calgary. While he was there he did really well,” said Bradbury, noting the last time he saw Grant in 2018. “I saw him in the park in Calgary (last summer). He looked very healthy and very sharp.
“He was getting his life back on track and he was quite happy.”
According to social media posts, Grant was familiar to several downtown businesses, where he would often pop in to say hello to people he knew.
Berit Carson, a longtime Fox and Hound employee, recalled several times when Grant would drop by with his mother Sheila, usually on a Friday for a drink of water with lime and some pizza.
“He was a quiet kid and kept to himself,” said Carson. “When he was with his mom he was a little bit more outgoing.
“He was a real sweet soul, I thought,” she added, noting she did not know Grant on a personal level but remembered him as a patron at the Fox and Hound.
“We are all very saddened and shocked (by his death),” Carson concluded.
Bourgeois has been remanded into custody and will be appearing in Red Deer provincial court on May 1.
