In what appears to be an isolated but concerning incident, Ottawa Police have confirmed that two individuals were injured during an assault in Kanata on Thursday evening, with one person now in custody.
The incident unfolded shortly after 7:30 p.m. in a residential area near Terry Fox Drive, drawing multiple police cruisers and paramedic units to the scene. Neighbors described hearing a disturbance before emergency vehicles arrived.
“I was just finishing dinner when I heard shouting outside. Within minutes, there were police everywhere,” said Marlene Davidson, who lives across the street from where the assault took place.
According to Ottawa Paramedic Services, two people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the scene before being transported to hospital. One victim sustained lacerations to the face and arm, while the second suffered blunt force trauma injuries.
Ottawa Police Staff Sergeant Jean Lamarche confirmed that officers made an arrest shortly after arriving. “One suspect was taken into custody without incident. There is no ongoing threat to public safety,” Lamarche stated during a brief media update.
Police have not yet released the name of the person arrested or specified what charges might be pending. Investigators remained at the scene until well past midnight, collecting evidence and speaking with witnesses.
This incident marks the fourth reported assault in Ottawa’s western suburbs this month, though police maintain there’s no indication the events are connected.
Kanata South Councillor Allan Hubley addressed community concerns in a statement this morning. “I’ve been in contact with Ottawa Police regarding last night’s incident. While disturbing, I want to reassure residents that Kanata remains one of the safest communities in our city,” Hubley noted.
Crime statistics from the Ottawa Police Service show violent incidents in the Kanata area have remained relatively stable over the past three years, with a slight decrease in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Community safety advocate Teresa Wong from the Kanata Community Association emphasized the importance of neighborhood vigilance. “Events like this remind us to look out for one another. Our community watch programs are actively recruiting new volunteers to help maintain the safety we’ve come to expect in Kanata.”
The investigation is ongoing, with police asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has security camera footage from the area to contact the West Criminal Investigations Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 2666.
Ottawa Police expect to provide additional details about the assault and any charges at a press conference scheduled for tomorrow morning at police headquarters.
For those affected by witnessing the incident, the Ottawa Distress Centre offers confidential support and can be reached at 613-238-3311.
