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
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It’s discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.