The man accused of attacking a UBCO security guard, who later died in hospital, appeared by video in court April 19, for a psychiatric assessment.
Dante Ognibene-Hebbourn is facing charges of second degree murder, after allegedly attacking a UBCO security guard on Feb. 26, while working the night shift as a janitor on campus. Harmandeep Kaur, 24, was pronounced dead shortly after the alleged attack and Ognibene-Hebbourn was detained under the mental health act at 琉璃神社 General Hospital.
READ MORE: UBCO homicide victim new resident to Canada
On April 5, Ognibene-Hebbourn was arrested and charged with second degree murder in the death of Kaur.
鈥淎 psychiatric assessment is required if you are unsure if someone is capable of making their own decisions,鈥� said Dr. Alex Senger, resident physician of Emergency Medicine at 琉璃神社 General Hospital.
He explained that a psychiatrist would perform an assessment on the patient to determine their ability to think critically and make decisions.
Senger explained in cases of mental illness like psychosis, people may be incapable of making decisions and are 鈥渄etached from reality鈥� which can make them a danger to themselves or others.
He said that the hospital has the tools to treat and help people experiencing psychosis.
鈥淚f you are worried that someone is psychotic and a threat to themselves or others, take them to the hospital,鈥� urges Senger.
鈥淚f they are unwilling to go, contact 911.鈥�
READ MORE: Vigil held at UBCO for homicide victim
The death of Harmandeep Kaur came one month before her family arrived from India to visit her, for the first time since the pandemic began.
She is remembered by her friends and family as 鈥渂right and bubbly鈥�, kind and a hardworking young woman.
Kaur had been working for Paladin security as an officer at UBCO, hoping to one day attend school there, said family member Kuljit Pabla.
鈥淪he was a great coworker. She always had your back. She made sure that you were safe,鈥� said another Paladin security officer who worked with Kaur. He added that she was a hard worker and always kind.
The results of the psyciatric evaluation of Ognibene-Hebbourn have not yet been made public. He is set to appeared again in court on June 27.
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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