Woman who stood on Tomb of the Unknown Soldier won't be charged: police
A woman who stood and shouted on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest has expressed remorse and will not be charged, Ottawa police say.
A video showed the woman standing on the tomb at the National War Memorial yelling ‘freedom’ on Jan. 29. Police released photos and video of the suspect in an effort to identify her.
Police said Thursday the woman has been identified, but will not be charged.
“She was spoken to, showed remorse for her actions and police are confident she will not re-offend,” police said in a statement to CTV News. “She was processed by other means, which is a police practice.”
Police say they are not releasing the woman’s name because she hasn’t been charged. They said she lives out of province.
“Suffice to say, the investigation into the female videotaped standing and yelling on the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier impacted people across the country,” the statement said.
“Inspector Jim Elves, who oversees our criminal investigators, is a veteran himself and understands the importance of this sacred monument. All that to say, after a thorough investigation was conducted and several parties were spoken to, the OPS are satisfied this was an isolated incident that won’t happen again from this person."
The video from the first weekend of what turned out to be a three-week occupation sparked outrage. Canada’s chief of the defence staff said he was “sickened” and Defence Minister Anita Anand called the behaviour “beyond reprehensible.”
Police later placed fencing around the memorial to keep the protesters out for the rest of the demonstration.
Police are preparing for another downtown protest this weekend, with the ‘Rolling Thunder’ demonstration expected to bring at least 500 motorcycles to the city.
Police have set up an exclusion zone that prohibits protest vehicles from entering, which includes the National War Memorial. However, people will be allowed to walk there. Ottawa's interim police chief said there are no plans to erect fencing around the memorial, but officers will be nearby.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.