A 32-year-old international student was the victim of an attack where two people tried to throw him off the Cummings Bridge in downtown Ottawa late Tuesday night.
As the student was wrestling with his attackers, two police officers happened to be passing by and intervened.
“One of these males was trying to push victim over the ledge of the bridge,’ explains Cst. Chuck Benoit of Ottawa Police Services, “Luckily timing; investigators on the ground doing hard work were able to stop further injuries, even possible death.”
Police believe the suspects are behind another attack in the area.
“They arrested two males,’ says Cst. Benoit. “The victim was able to flee from suspects.”
The two investigators who intervened were working another assault case that happened Saturday night at Rideau and William. A 31-year-old man had been attacked by four men, who had threatened to kill him. Police knew three of the suspects and were looking for them when they came upon the scene at the bridge leading to Vanier. Police say it involved two of those same suspects.
“I didn’t hear about that, it’s very shocking for me,” says international student Hugo Narumiya.
The attack has shaken university students in the area.
“It’s horrendous – you wouldn’t think of all that in Ottawa, especially with all that’s happening,” says University of Ottawa student Richard Cheng.
Police say they are not sure of the motive here but confirm Tuesday night’s victim was not robbed.
A16-year-old faces charges of possessing a prohibited weapon and carrying a concealed weapon. The minor cannot be named.
Timothy Ryan Smith, 31, is charged with assault and aggravated assault.
A warrant is out for the arrest of 31-year-old James Picody for aggravated assaulted and uttering threats.
