Two people are in hospital with life-threatening injuries and a man is facing charges following two stabbings less than half a kilometre apart in downtown Ottawa early Thursday morning, according to police The Ottawa Police Service continues to investigate a stabbing on Rideau Street near Sussex Drive and a stabbing near the Ottawa Mission at the intersection of Daly Avenue and Waller Street. Emergency crews responded to a call for a stabbing at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Rideau Street, between Sussex Drive and Dalhousie Street. Police say there were reports a man stabbed a woman. “Seeking safety, the woman boarded an OC Transpo bus where she received medical treatment,” police said. An Ottawa Paramedic Services spokesperson said the 55-year-old woman was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries. An OC Transpo bus was parked in the area blocked off by police tape and there was paramedic gear on the ground next to the bus. Just after 3 a.m., police responded to a report that a man had been stabbed near Daly Avenue and Waller Street. The man was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police. Police say a man was arrested near the scene of the second stabbing. The nature of the attacks remains under investigation. Police initially said in a news release Thursday morning that, “At this time, the attack appears to have been random.” Insp. Cory Robertson later told CTV News Ottawa’s Katelyn Wilson, however, that it remains unclear what led to the attacks and whether the victims and the suspect knew each other. “I think it’s too early to call it a random attack at this point… they’d like a chance to do a through investigation into the suspect as well as our two victims and the circumstances surrounding including witness collecting video and determine the full circumstances of what happened,” he said. Joachim Lessard, 42, of Ottawa is facing two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of assault with a weapon and other charges. Police say the investigation into the two stabbings continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Central Investigations Section at 613-236-1222, extension 5166. Rideau Street was closed between Sussex Drive and Dalhousie Street, but reopened just after 12 p.m. On Feb. 19, Gilles Comtois, 58, died following a stabbing in the same area outside the Rideau Centre. Police announced 70-year-old Yves Brisebois is facing a charge of first-degree murder.
