ESTEVAN - The tragic incidents that occurred in Estevan on Nov. 1 claimed two lives and left an Estevan police officer injured, highlighting the systematic problems that exist and worsen, not only in the community but in the province and the country as well.
Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig, who is also the chairman of the Estevan board of police commissioners, said domestic violence, and mental health and addictions needs are to be discussed and, hopefully, addressed on many levels shortly.
"This was a very unfortunate situation. It started with domestic violence, which, unfortunately, is increasing not only in our community but across the province and across our country. It's something along with addictions and mental health issues, they tend to all go together," the mayor said. "We have to continue to work with the province, and with the feds to try to combat some of the social issues that we all face today."
Ludwig said that the city will be bringing up the incident and the underlying issues it highlighted at the next city mayor's caucus.
"Domestic violence will be brought up at the upcoming mayor's caucus, along with mental health and addiction issues. And we already have a committee set up with mental health and addiction issues, which is very prevalent, right across the country," Ludwig said.
"This is a third leg on that stool, if you will. Domestic violence usually involves other issues, not all the time, but in many cases, it does involve mental health issues, along with addictions issues. So, these are some of the main issues that we, as a community, face today.
"And it's a very unfortunate situation that we have to put more resources to at the municipal, at the provincial and at the federal levels to try to combat some of these very prevalent, ongoing issues," Ludwig added.
The mayor noted that the city was relieved to learn that the officer injured as a result of the altercation with the suspect at the police station was in stable condition and was "doing well". He also praised the police service for handling the emergency situation.
"We feel the Estevan Police Service handled themselves very professionally, along with the chief. And we thank them for that ... We feel sorry for the families of the people that have passed, our condolences to them. And we wish the policeman involved a speedy recovery and wish all the very best for his family as well."
He also noted that the incidents on Nov. 1 involved a number of agencies and stirred the entire province.
"The province came down right away, the RCMP were involved along with the Estevan Police Service, we've got all of our people dealing with the critical incident, with everything that happened along with the investigation. Weyburn police are also involved. We've got lots of assistance because this was a very serious situation," Ludwig said, noting they appreciate all the support received throughout these days.
"Everyone has come to the table here. I've had many calls over the last few days from our MLA, from ministers, from mayors. And I'd like to thank them all for their support. It's times like this, when not only the community comes together in support, but the provinces as well," Ludwig said.
He noted that they are also dealing with the impact of the incident on the members, as it affected them all in one way or another.
***
On the morning of Nov. 1, at approximately 6:38 a.m., as a result of a call for a medical emergency, members of the EPS were dispatched to an apartment in the 1200-block of Sixth Street. The information that police received was that a woman was injured and bleeding.
Officers attended and located the woman suffering from serious upper body injuries. She was located in the residence and transported by Estevan EMS to St. Joseph's Hospital where she died at 9:28 a.m. The EPS said the cause of death was deemed a homicide. The victim was identified as Karie Ann Guillas of Estevan.
Officers arrested an adult male at the scene and he was transported to the police station. During the homicide investigation, an altercation took place at the police station between the suspect and an EPS officer, resulting in serious injuries to both the officer and the suspect.
Both the officer and the suspect were transported to St. Joseph's Hospital and then to Regina for treatment. The suspect, Justice Guillas, who was the son of Karie Ann Guillas, also died that day. The officer's condition has been updated to stable.
