Ottawa Man Charged After Stabbing Jewish Woman at Grocery Store

A 71-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon after stabbing a woman in her 70s at the kosher section of a Loblaws grocery store in Ottawa. The attack, which police say was unprovoked, occurred while the victim was shopping, and the suspect was arrested at the scene. The Hate and Bias Crime Unit is involved in the investigation, considering the possibility of a hate-motivated crime, especially given the suspect's antisemitic social media posts highlighted by B'nai Brith Canada. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa described the victim as a cherished community member who is recovering and emphasized there is no current increased risk to Jewish facilities. Authorities and community leaders are working together to strengthen security measures and ensure the safety of Jewish residents in Ottawa. The incident has heightened concerns amid a rise in antisemitic incidents across Canada, prompting calls for vigilance and coordinated responses from law enforcement and community organizations.