A Saskatoon man stabbed in an apparent random attack at a hospital has died
A man stabbed in an apparent random attack at a Saskatoon hospital has died, according to a close friend.
Randy Beauchesne died after he was removed from life support on Saturday, Chris Sicotte told CTV News.
Beauchesne, 55, was stabbed in the head inside Royal University Hospital on June 13 — allegedly by a man he didn't know.
"We were encouraged initially when he was awake and trying to communicate, and then everything kind of took a turn for the worse about a week and a half or so ago," Sicotte said.
"A loving father, devoted grandfather, small business owner, well known within the group of people we associated with— it's just tragic and senseless."
Sicotte said Beauchesne was a two-time cancer survivor who was always ready to lend a hand.
"A lot of times people throw the phrase 'shirt off your back kind of person,' but that's really what he was. He was one of those guys, if he could help you out in any way possible, he would be there," Sicotte said
He was also an avid martial artist who Sicotte said was "tough as nails and strong as an ox."
Beauchesne was stabbed with a screwdriver, according to his daughter Danya.
She previously told CTV News the screwdriver used by Randy's attacker penetrated his skull and entered the frontal lobe of his brain.
Kevin Witchekan, 39, was arrested at the hospital following the attack and charged with attempted murder.
On Tuesday, Saskatoon Police Service said new charges are pending.
Randy Beauchesne sustained a serious brain injury when he was stabbed at a Saskatoon hospital, according to his family. (Courtesy Dayna Beauchesne)
"Just to find out that it was you know, a senseless random attack — there may have been a case of mistaken identity — but still you stab somebody in the head like that? It's just brutal. It's vicious," Sicotte said.
In June, Danya said the attack happened while Randy was paying for parking for a family friend they happened to bump into at the hospital.
"He was just trying to do something nice for someone ... and then he has that happen to him," she said.
--With files from Tyler Barrow
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca