Condolences pouring in for slain Red Deer doctor
Posted Aug 11, 2020 2:00 am.
Last Updated Aug 11, 2020 12:38 pm.
RED DEER — Condolences are pouring in for a Red Deer doctor and father killed in his own clinic.
RCMP anticipate charges will be laid following the brutal attack on Monday.
A former colleague confirmed to CityNews the man was Dr. Walter Reynolds from the Village Mall Walk-in clinic.
She arrived in front of the clinic Tuesday morning to place a framed photo of Reynolds behind dozens of flowers and cards being laid at a memorial.
“He was the most kind, loving person ever. He was a jokester. He was just very very kind.” pic.twitter.com/BtStPvW2aR
— Rachelle Elsiufi (@Rachelleelsiufi) August 11, 2020
“He was the most kind, loving person ever,” she said. “He was a jokester. He was just very very kind.”
Dr. Peter Bouch said members of Red Deer’s medical community are feeling shaken a day after the death of his colleague, Dr. Walter
Reynolds.
Bouch said Reynolds was proud of his two young daughters and was a dedicated physician.
He said he and Reynolds worked at different clinics but were both part of a tight-knit community of doctors in Red Deer who are originally from South Africa.
Supt. Gerald Grobmeier with the RCMP held a news conference Monday night but wouldn’t confirm details.
He said a suspect is in custody and charges are likely.
Grobmeier said other staff and patients were in the clinic at the time of the attack and will likely suffer trauma because of what they saw.
He described it as an isolated but extremely brazen crime.
“I am sickened to learn that a member of our community died in such a violent tragedy,” Grobmeier said.
“My heart goes out to the family … no one expects that.”
He said one officer was struck with a blunt weapon during the arrest and was treated for minor injuries.
Police will provide more details at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday where it’s expected charges will be announced.
Friends of Dr. Reynolds took to social media to express their condolences and shock over his death.
One user tweeted saying Reynolds and a colleague were her medical heroes.
“They gave me a new lease on life & have been in my corner since I became ill.”
Drs. Walter Reynolds and David Ryan are my medical heroes. They gave me a new lease on life & have been in my corner since I became ill. In remission now for several years, I'm forever grateful for their expertise, compassion, kindness & support.
— Patti Yackulic (@pmyackulic) August 11, 2020
Another wrote “My heart is breaking today for the family of our fallen colleague and for the medical community in Red Deer and across AB.”
These tweets with #AlbertaLovesDoctors are so lovely.
My heart is breaking today for the family of our fallen colleague and for the medical community in Red Deer and across AB.
"It's not right we have to fight for what's fair, but we will.”- Dr. Walter Reynolds, MD. RIP. https://t.co/639XYDJa6e
— Carly Crewe (@CreweCarly) August 11, 2020
Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandro have also tweeted their condolences saying they’re saddened to hear about the fatal attack on the doctor.
Dr. Christine Molnar, president of the Alberta Medical Association, said in a statement that the organization will be reaching out to local medical staff for support.
I have just learned of this horrific attack on a Red Deer physician. I can’t express my great sorrow for his family, his colleagues and the Red Deer community. The AMA will be reaching out to local medical staff to learn how we can best provide support at this time. 2/2
— Alberta Medical Association (AMA) (@Albertadoctors) August 10, 2020
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with an education fund for Reynold’s daughters.
-With files from CityNews Edmonton
