'Hate-motivated': Elderly Jewish woman stabbed in broad daylight at Ottawa grocery store; Canadian leaders condemn 'vile' attack

A Jewish woman in her 70s was stabbed in broad daylight at a supermarket in Ottawa. The shocking incident took place Wednesday afternoon at a Loblaws store on Baseline Road, where the victim was shopping with a friend.

Ottawa Police Service confirmed Friday that the assault is being investigated as a 'hate-motivated' crime.

Police said the attacker, who did not know her, approached and stabbed her without provocation. She was critically injured but survived after being rushed to hospital.

The suspect, identified as Joseph Rooke, 71, of Cornwall, Ontario, was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon. Rooke appeared in court Thursday and is due back on September 2.

The attack has sent shockwaves through Canada’s Jewish community. Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X, "To the Canadian Jewish community: you are not alone. In full solidarity, we denounce the hatred and threats to your safety.”

The senseless attack on a Jewish woman in an Ottawa grocery store this week is 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.
 
To Canada’s…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) August 29, 2025

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the assault as “yet another vile antisemitic attack” and urged stronger hate-crime laws. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the incident had “caused significant distress” among the city’s Jewish community, adding that security would be bolstered in certain neighborhoods.

Local representatives also voiced concern. Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Chandra Pasma called it a “deeply troubling incident,” while MP Anita Vandenbeld said she was “mortified” and “cannot imagine the fear of our Jewish neighbours.”