OttawaOttawa’s Jewish community has been left “deeply shaken” after a woman in her 70s was stabbed at a Loblaws grocery store Wednesday. The Ottawa police hate and bias crime unit is investigating the attack.Ottawa police hate and bias crime unit investigatingCBC News · Posted: Aug 28, 2025 7:59 AM EDT | Last Updated: 41 minutes agoOttawa police say their hate and bias crime unit is helping investigate a grocery store stabbing Wednesday that left a woman in her 70s with critical injuries. (Francis Ferland/CBC)Ottawa’s Jewish community has been left “deeply shaken” after a woman in her 70s was stabbed at a Loblaws grocery store Wednesday, one local organization says.The woman was critically injured in the attack at the store on Baseline Road, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) said in a news release Wednesday night.OPS said she’d entered the store at the corner of Baseline and Woodroffe Avenue with a friend around 1:35 p.m.She was then approached by a man who stabbed her, they said.Officers arrested a man at the scene “without incident” while staff at the store aided the victim, police said. She was taken to hospital and released later that day. Hate and bias crime unit investigatingOn Thursday, OPS said their hate and bias crime unit is helping with the investigation.They also said a 71-year-old man had appeared in court earlier in the day to face charges of aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon.In a social media post, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa said it was relieved to know that the victim, a “cherished member of the community,” 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,” the group wrote. Holocaust monument vigil calls for end to hate crimes The organization also said it’s “strengthening community infrastructure” and would be reaching out to Loblaws to “begin discussions on ways to ensure Jewish community members feel safe while shopping.””Our thoughts and heartfelt wishes are with the victim and their loved ones, and we have reached out to the family to offer support. We invite you to join us in sending them refuah shlema, prayers for strength and healing,” it said.A police officer watches the door of an Ottawa Loblaws after a stabbing on Wednesday. (Francis Ferland/CBC)OPS said it’s looking at all possible motives for the attack, adding that the woman and her alleged attacker didn’t know each other before the stabbing. Police have not released the suspect’s name.With files from Trevor Pritchard
Jewish community ‘deeply shaken’ after woman stabbed at grocery store
