No charges in stabbing death of Nova Scotia man in Ottawa, police say
Ottawa police say no one will face charges in connection to the stabbing death of a 19-year-old Nova Scotia man in Ottawa's downtown this summer.
Eric Hewer was out celebrating his birthday with a friend, but in the early evening of July 26, the two, who were driving in a black Volkswagen, got into an alleged altercation with three teens riding e-scooters.
Police say Hewer and his friend were stabbed in the area of Metcalfe and Albert Streets. Both were transported to hospital, Hewer died of his injuries.
"Life changing is the only way I can describe this. For all of us it’s been life changing," says Hewer’s older brother Brendon. "He paid the ultimate price when everybody was responsible and it’s not fair."
Police announced on Wednesday that the Homicide Unit has concluded its investigation into the altercation that led to the stabbing death of Hewer, and no charges will be laid.
"After an extensive review of this incident, Homicide investigators have determined that the individual acted in self-defence and as such, there are no reasonable and probable grounds to lay a criminal charge," said police.
On July 28, police said investigators were looking to speak with anyone with information about an altercation between three e-scooter riders and a black Volkswagen at the time of the stabbing.
Insp. Carl Cartright says bad decisions were made by everyone involved.
"Even though we are not proceeding criminally that doesn’t mean that there won’t be any other means process in regards to this," says Cartright. "It’s a difficult decision to make when you look the criminal justice system as a whole and the role of the police and our role in this case is to be impartial."
Friends and family say Hewer had just moved to Ottawa, from his hometown in Sydney, N.S., to start a new job.
Brendan Hewer says community support has been overwhelming, a GoFundMe page was started to help his family, and that his younger brother was a kind and caring individual.
"He loved to have fun he loved to help his community he was always looking for other ways to help people," he says. "Everybody that day made a mistake that’s not what we're saying. What we’re saying is deadly force was used against somebody when deadly force should not have been used. We just want somebody held responsible for Eric’s death."
Hewer was Ottawa's 12th homicide victim of 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.