David McQueen's son remembers father after fatal standoff with Calgary police
Justin McQueen describes happy childhood but saw his father's health deteriorate before death
The son of the wheelchair-bound man killed in an armed standoff with Calgarypolice on Sundaysays his father was adedicated dad, but hadbeen suffering from extreme loneliness leading up to his death.
David McQueen, 53,was shot and killed by police after reports he fired shots into the streethitting several homes and a city busin the Huntington Hills neighbourhood.
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"He was an awesome dad," saidJustinMcQueen, 24, who was just threewhen his fathersuffered a spinal injury after diving into Calgary'sSikomeLake.
"He didn't act as though he had the accident.He played sports,he took us fishing," saidMcQueen.
But his disabilities and health issues began to impact his father's well-being,said McQueenadding that all"hell broke loose"after the death of his service dog a couple of weeks before his death.
"It was his absolute best friend. It was his only best friend."
'He was suffering'
His father became increasinglyfrustrated withthe governmentand provincialhealth-care system, saying hewas not provided with properhomecare.McQueen saidsigns of depression and hoarding were being ignored and went untreated.
"He was suffering. He was pretty much left in that house and screaming for help and nobody would help him."
Gun ownership and hunting were not family hobbies, andhow his father acquired the firearm used Sunday remains a mystery toMcQueen.
Hesaid he shared photos from his California vacation on thelast visitwith his father a memory McQueenwill always cherish.
Funeral arrangements for McQueen's dadare currently underway.