On Monday, February 21, an inmate from Drumheller Institution died while in custody following a serious assault in the medium-security unit.
Drumheller RCMP and the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) are currently investigating the incident. No other inmates or staff members were injured during this incident.
“CSC does not tolerate violence in its institutions,” a spokesperson for CSC tells the Mail. “Disciplinary action is taken, and criminal charges can be laid against those involved in violent incidents.”
At the time of his death, David Klassen, 33, had been serving a sentence of seven years, seven months, and 15 days for manslaughter, since March 30, 2017.
The inmate's next of kin have been notified of his death.
CSC is fully collaborating with the RCMP investigation into this incident. At this time, no further information is available while the investigation is underway.
Update - February 25
As a result of the investigation by the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit into the homicide of Mr. Klassen, charges of first-degree murder have been laid against Tyrel Brandon Lance Runningrabbit, 19; Trent Fox, 21; Vincent Robert Pierre Cardinal, 26; and Thomas Joseph Alfred Abraham, 22.
All four individuals are serving inmates at the Drumheller Institution and will remain in custody. The four accused appeared in provincial court in Drumheller on Friday, February 25.
