Montreal correctional officer suspended after inmate dies from injuries at Bordeaux jail

A correctional officer has been temporarily relieved of his duties after a 21-year-old inmate died following an incident at a Montreal jail Saturday afternoon.

Quebec's Ministry of Public Security confirmedthat the man,Nicous D'Andre Spring, lost consciousness during a physical intervention at the Bordeauxjail on Christmas Eve.

He was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries Christmas Day.

The ministry's corrections branch suspended a Bordeauxofficer following a preliminary analysis of the events, according toMarie-Jose Montminy, a spokesperson for the ministry.

She would not confirm further details about the incident "consideringthe investigations in progress or to come as well as the rules relating to the confidentiality of personal files."

An administrative investigation is underway.

Quebec Public SecurityMinister Franois Bonnardelsaid he was "very concerned" about the situation and has asked thatofficials shed light on the incident.

"We offer our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim," Bonnardelsaid in a statement.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the causes and circumstances surrounding the death, said Sret du Qubec spokesperson Nicolas Scholtus. The provincial police force is leading the investigation.

"It is up to the police to determine whether charges should be laid following a criminal investigation and to the coroner to determine the cause of death," saidMontminy.

D'Andre Spring was being held at the Montreal jail for summary conviction charges incurred on Dec. 20, includingassaulting a peace officer, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes andcriminal harassment.

In March2021,he was charged with failure to comply with acondition of a release order.

'A gentle giant'

Stephen Hennessy says D'Andre Spring had a "very kind way" of connecting with people.

"He's just a gentle giant," he said. "He's physically this big teddy bear, and just very loving and caring to his friends."

Hennessysaid he'd been "very close" with D'Andre Spring since he was roughly13 years old through his regular involvement with theWesthaven Elmhurst Community Recreation Association.

As teen program co-ordinatorat the non-profit,Hennessysaid D'Andre Springwas always the first to volunteer to help out and,eventually, he became part of the centre's teen leadership program.

"He was creative, whether it be with the style of clothes ... and he was a jokester,"saidHennessy.

D'Andre Spring, who went by his artist name Yk Lyrical online, was an aspiring recording artist. Hennessy said he helped the young man record some of his first songs at the centre's music studio and saidhecould have had a promising musical career had his life not been cut short.

"To hear that he wasn't fully able to blossom and reach his potential, it's sad," he said.

Hennessy says he'sspoken with D'Andre Spring's family, and that the community is behind them.

"We're going to help them getthrough that and figureout what happened and how we can make sure that this never happens again," he said.

"No family should ever feel this."

D'Andre Spring's familyplans to hold a candlelight vigil in his honouronFriday at Benny Park in the Notre-Dame-de-Grceneighbourhood.