An Alberta man badly beaten outside a convenience store in Grande Prairie is improving in an Edmonton hospital, his wife says.
John St. Jean’s wife posted Monday on Facebook that her husband is no longer relying on life support after his breathing tube was removed.
St. Jean was brought unconscious to the University of Alberta Hospital clinging to life after the attack Thursday night.
A 24-year-old man has been taken into custody and charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of failing to comply with a probation order.
The investigation is stalled as RCMP wait to interview St. Jean.
“Members of the RCMP’s Edmonton General Investigative Section are ready to interview him as soon as he’s able,” said Cpl. Leigh Drinkwater.
Quick trip to store ends in fight, wife says
Dawn Mackay said she and St. Jean were in their Grande Prairie home playing a board game Thursday night when St. Jean suddenly stood up and announced that he had to leave — he had bought a surprise for Mackay and needed to pick it up.
St. Jean left and walked to the parking lot of a Mac’s convenience store about a block from the couple’s house. Mackay later found out that St. Jean had arranged to purchase a ring for her and had planned to meet the seller in the parking lot.
Mackay said she found it odd when St. Jean didn’t return within a few minutes. She sent him a few text messages, none of which were returned.
Police called at 11:30 p.m., saying St. Jean had been involved in a fight.
Mackay said she learned that while outside the convenience store, St. Jean came across a man who appeared to be picking a fight with a boy.
Mackay said her husband stepped between the two, giving the boy a chance to get away, when he was attacked.
RCMP tell CBC News they have been unable to confirm Mackay’s account. They say when officers arrived, there was no sign of a young boy and it was unclear who started the fight.
