A young man, aged 21, passed away on Saturday after sustaining stab wounds in Alta Vista, as reported by the Ottawa Police Service. Paramedics were dispatched to the location at 12:32 a.m., responding to the incident on Russell Road. They discovered the individual with potential stab wounds and in cardiac arrest. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the man was pronounced dead later on, with paramedics confirming he was the sole patient on-site.
The victim was officially identified by the police as Raphael Atende, in a press release issued on Saturday morning. The release noted that this incident marked the fifteenth homicide in Ottawa for the year.
This tragic event occurred shortly after reports of gunfire on the same street, prompting concerns among residents and local authorities. Councillor Marty Carr of Alta Vista mentioned plans to organize meetings between the community and law enforcement to address the recent surge in violence. She highlighted the community’s fears, emphasizing the desire for a safe environment for children to play outdoors.
The homicide unit has launched an investigation into the matter, urging anyone with relevant information to reach out to the authorities. Additionally, a separate stabbing incident was reported in Lowertown later that same day, where a woman in her twenties sustained multiple injuries near St. Patrick and Cumberland streets. She was promptly taken to a nearby trauma center in serious condition. Ottawa police temporarily closed roads in the vicinity, which have since been reopened.
