Ottawa police are asking the public for help identifying a group of people believed to be connected to a stabbing in the downtown core earlier this month.
What happened
Officers were called to the intersection of Daly Avenue and Nicholas Street on Aug. 4 at around 9:45 p.m. after reports that a man had been stabbed. The intersection sits in the Sandy Hill area, just east of the University of Ottawa campus and a short walk from the ByWard Market, one of the busiest stretches of the city on any given weekend night.
Investigators say a group of people was in the area at the time of the attack, and police are now trying to determine who they are and what role, if any, each person played. Details about the victim's condition and the exact circumstances that led to the stabbing have not been released.
Why it matters to Ottawa
Daly Avenue and Nicholas Street is a corridor a lot of Ottawa residents pass through without thinking twice, whether they're heading to class, cutting through to the market, or catching a bus along Nicholas. A stabbing at that intersection, even one investigators are still piecing together, is the kind of incident that puts people on edge in a part of the city that's normally full of foot traffic well into the evening.
For students living in Sandy Hill, and for anyone who regularly walks that stretch between the university and downtown, incidents like this are a reminder to stay aware of their surroundings, especially at night. It also puts pressure on Ottawa police to move quickly on identifying who was involved, both to hold the right people accountable and to reassure a neighbourhood that sees a steady mix of students, residents and market-goers passing through.
What police are asking for
Ottawa police have not released descriptions of the group members but are appealing to anyone with information, including possible witnesses who were in the area around 9:45 p.m. on Aug. 4, to come forward. Anyone with dash-cam or security footage from businesses or homes near the intersection could also be useful to investigators piecing together the timeline.
This is still an active and developing investigation. Ottown will update this story as police release more information, including any arrests or updates on the victim's condition.
Source: CBC Ottawa
