Woman died after Blue Door assault in March

Just over a month before the Blue Door drop-in centre in downtown Brandon was permanently closed on Thursday, Brandon police responded to “a very serious assault” on the premises, Brandon police Chief Tyler Bates told the Sun. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support.

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Just over a month before the Blue Door drop-in centre in downtown Brandon was permanently closed on Thursday, Brandon police responded to “a very serious assault” on the premises, Brandon police Chief Tyler Bates told the Sun. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Just over a month before the Blue Door drop-in centre in downtown Brandon was permanently closed on Thursday, Brandon police responded to “a very serious assault” on the premises, Brandon police Chief Tyler Bates told the Sun. The woman who was the victim of the assault subsequently died, he said.

The cause of death is still being determined. “There was a very serious assault that took place there on March 11,” Bates said Thursday, “and the victim of that serious assault died in hospital shortly thereafter, so that particular matter is still under investigation. Brandon police Chief Tyler Bates said police were at the Blue Door “anytime it was open.

” (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files) “We’re still awaiting further information from the medical examiner’s office as to the cause of her death, and it could be that additional charges may be laid.” A 33-year-old woman has been charged with assault with a weapon and aggravated assault in connection with the other woman’s injuries. She is still in custody with a court date scheduled for July 15.

Safety issues at the Blue Door were brought to the public’s attention when Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation announced the drop-in’s closure on its Facebook page on Tuesday, citing “escalating safety concerns and ongoing operational challenges.” A month earlier, a BNRC social media post alerted the public that the drop-in centre would be shut down for one day because of “high volumes of misconduct, as people were not following the rules.” It was closed for a week.

Bates said while the Blue Door offered “basic human needs,” including bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities and the provision of snacks, it became “increasingly concerning as far as the criminal activity that had been escalating.” Since March 31, police were at the Blue Door “anytime it was open,” he said. “So when you get to the point where a facility requires a policing presence just to ensure public safety, that’s not sustainable.

“We’re talking about very serious assaults that have taken place there; drug activity, overdose instances and weapons offences,” Bates said. “So there’s a significant escalation in terms of criminality that requires us to consider the public safety implications of that particular facility. And I think that’s something that has contributed to the decision making,” he said.

The Blue Door at 31A Ninth St. opened in 2021 as a safe haven for the city’s homeless and was operated by Ask Auntie, an initiative funded by BNRC. Ask Auntie provides support and resources to Brandon’s vulnerable populations.

Its operation will not be affected by the drop-in centre’s closure, stated BNRC’s Facebook post. » [email protected] » enviromichele.

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