Ottawa Police Charge 71-Year-Old Man With Stabbing of Jewish Woman in ‘Hate-Motivated Crime’

A Ottawa Police Service (OPS) patch is seen in Ottawa, on Sept. 29, 2024. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby

A 71-year-old man is facing charges after an elderly Jewish woman was stabbed inside an Ottawa grocery store, in an attack the police have described as a “hate-motivated crime.”

Ottawa police said the victim entered the store with a friend at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 27  where she was “approached by a man who stabbed her.”

The woman suffered “serious injuries,” police said in a press release. She was helped by store staff and transported to hospital where she was treated and later released.

Police said officers responded to the store at 1900 block of Baseline Road and arrested a male suspect without incident.

Cornwall resident Joseph Rooke has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon in connection with the stabbing.

“After a thorough investigation” it was determined the attack was a “hate-motivated crime,” police said, noting that the suspect and the victim were not known to each other before the incident.

‘Deeply Troubled’

The Jewish community of Ottawa has been “deeply shaken” by the incident, according to a statement from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa (JFO).

The group said it was following developments closely and has been in contact with law enforcement, adding that the victim was recovering.

“The Ottawa Police Service has been very supportive, and at this time there is no indication of increased risk to Jewish facilities or institutions,” JFO said, adding that it is also working with the grocery store where the incident occurred, Loblaws, to “begin discussions on ways to ensure Jewish community members feel safe while shopping.”

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said it was “deeply troubled” by the attack, noting the store is known to have a kosher food section.

The organization described the woman as a “valued member of the Ottawa Jewish community.”

“While the motivation behind this unprovoked assault has not yet been determined, we cannot ignore the broader context in Ottawa,” CIJA said. “Anti-Jewish hate, antisemitism, and violence have been normalized since the abhorrent attack on October 7. Jewish institutions, businesses, and community members have been increasingly singled out by extremists.”

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he was “troubled” by the assault.

“This reprehensible violence has understandably caused significant distress within Ottawa’s Jewish community,” he said in an Aug. 28 post on social media, adding, “We must stand together against violence and hatred in all its forms and continue working together to ensure Ottawa remains a safe and inclusive city for everyone.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Ottawa police had his “full support” in the investigation, and said he was “deeply disturbed by the violent attack.”

“I pray she makes a full recovery,” Ford wrote in an Aug. 28 post on X. “Hate, violence and antisemitism have no place in our province.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney also sent a message to Canada’s Jewish community saying they were not alone.

“We stand with you against hate and threats to your safety, and we will act to confront antisemitism wherever it appears,” he said in an Aug. 29 post on X.

Carney called it a “senseless attack” and added it was “deeply disturbing.”

“My thoughts are with her, her family, and Ottawa’s Jewish community, and my support is with law enforcement as they work to swiftly bring the perpetrator to justice,” he wrote.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he was “outraged” by the attack.

“Targeting people because they are Jewish is disgusting, un-Canadian, and must be met with the full force of the law,” Poilievre said in an Aug. 29 statement.

Poilievre called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to ensure “serious consequences” for those who commit or incite anti-Semitic crimes, including deportation for non-Canadians who “spread hatred.”

Ottawa Police statistics show Jewish people represented the most-targeted group for hate crimes in 2024, with 113 reported incidents, compared to 54 reported incidents against black people and those in the LGBT+ community, followed by 18 reported crimes against Muslims.