According to a GoFundMe, Barry Keith Pruden leaves behind three children and two granddaughters. (GoFundMe)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

‘My dad was my best friend ever’: daughter shares story of father’s murder

May 30, 2022 | 5:56 PM

Skye Pruden says her father died a hero.

Late Saturday night, the 27-year-old and her father, Barry Pruden, had been out riding their bikes, and around 11 p.m, stopped near Georgie’s Liquor Store as Barry wanted to go inside and get a pipe. Meanwhile, Skye waited across the street in the park area with the bikes. When Barry returned, the two began to carry on their way but were soon after cut off.

“There was this one guy, he came running towards my dad to stop his bike and he goes, ‘what’s your name?’,” Skye recalled.

When the stranger made a move towards Skye, Barry hopped off his bike, pulled a gardening tool out of his bag and began to swing it around to defend her.

“I started screaming and no one would help me,” Skye said

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A section of River Street, behind the court house, was taped off for a period of time Saturday and Sunday. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

At this point as many as six other individuals from the park came over and circled Skye’s dad. Provided with the opportunity to run, Skye first ran back to Georgie’s but was told to leave. She then went to a nearby residence where a friend lived but they weren’t home. Hearing Skye’s calls for help, a stranger emerged and offered to help and together with the two bikes, began to travel back to the park.

“I heard a scream,” Skye said in reference to her dad. “He yelled my name really loud.”

Upon getting back to the park, police were there and the stranger drove off with Barry’s bike. Skye said once the officer moved out of the way, she could see her father lying on the ground, wearing only a t-shirt, pants, and shoes. Someone had taken his jacket, bunnyhug, and hat

“They took everything,” she said.

Barry Pruden was pronounced deceased in hospital. An autopsy is set for Tuesday. In the meantime, Skye is acknowledging the fact her father’s birthday was coming up on June 5.

“My dad was my best friend ever. Least we know he died as a hero,” Skye said.

On Sunday, a GoFundMe was created to assist with funeral expenses.

Response from police

During a Monday afternoon press conference, Prince Albert Police Chief Jon Bergen revealed the two deaths this weekend bring the city’s total this year to six.

“To deal with two incidents of homicide on the same day, where they are different events, that is extremely draining,” he said.

The other homicide happened Saturday morning in the city’s East Flat area, just east of the Exhibition grounds. According to multiple social media posts, one man, who was both the husband and father, was shot multiple times while standing out in the street.

There’s been no arrests in either case. Both investigations are still very much in their preliminary stages, and Bergen did not discuss the details. He indicated instead that the police service will work closely with its community partners to address violence in the city.

“If you know something or see something, please report it,” he said.

Police Chief Jon Bergen fielded a number of questions from the media, ranging from member vacancies to gang connections. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Over the course of the weekend, officers responded to a total of 439 calls for service, with 184 on Saturday alone.

“That puts a demand on the entire organization where we are in a reactive mode basically all weekend long,” Bergen said.

Confirming the police service currently has eight vacancies, Bergen noted the police service did have five members graduate Friday from police college, who will join front line operations in the coming weeks. This includes two members who were part of the Metis mentorship program.

Bergen also acknowledged all the extra work and extra hours all members put in over the weekend, including the forensic identification unit, criminal investigation and crime reduction teams, and the front line patrol officers.

“We continue to thank our members for their attention to duty when they should be recharging with their families,” Bergen said.

Response from MN-S

Sherry McLennan, elected representative for Metis Nation – Saskatchewan Western Region 2, was also present for Monday’s press conference and confirmed both homicide victims were Metis.

“I know both families personally and both families have young children,” she said. “Young children that are now gonna be without fathers.”

Sherry McLennan, elected MN-S member for Western Region 2, was invited to Monday’s press conference. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Stating how crime in the city is out of control, and also acknowledging gaps with respects to services for mental health and homelessness, McLennan called on all elected leaders to get together and discuss solutions .

“It’s not only the young children, it’s our elders who are scared. Everybody is scared and we should not be scared in our own hometown where we grew up,” she said.

A candlelight vigil for both homicide victims was planned for Monday night at 8 p.m. near the MMIW monument.

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nigel.maxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell