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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.