A 29-year-old Ottawa man is facing a slew of charges including attempted murder in connection with an early morning shooting that's put a south-end woman in serious condition in hospital.

Police say Alvin Persaud is also facing charges for aggravated assault and using a firearm.

He was arrested at the scene of the early morning shooting at Marlin Private in Ottawa's south end at about 3:30 Tuesday morning, when officers found Cathleen Lavoie suffering from a gunshot wound to her neck.

Neighbours have identified Persaud as Lavoie's boyfriend of a few months.

"They just handcuffed him and put him in the car. And he said to Joe -- the eldest -- do you know I still love your mom?" neighbour Sue Jones told CTV Ottawa on Tuesday.

Neighbours described Lavoie as a well-known member of the tight-knit community, who is nicknamed "Mary Poppins" for her British accent and caring nature towards neighbourhood children.

"She's a very nice mother. And not just for her children, she was taking care of most of the children in the neighbourhood," said Zouheir Abdul-Hussein.

Lavoie remains at the Ottawa Hospital's Civic Campus in serious condition.

Police are continuing their investigation.