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Homicide detectives have taken the case and a librarian remains on life support in hospital after a violent daytime beating and sexual assault inside the Christian Science Reading Room downtown.
The woman, 59, who has been a librarian at the reading room since May 2011, was found bloodied, beaten unconscious and half-naked inside the office of the drop-in space at 141C Laurier Ave. W., near Elgin Street, around 1 p.m. Thursday.
She was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. She remained there Friday afternoon, clinging to life. This newspaper is not yet naming her.
“Investigators are following up on all information and there is no suspect in custody at this time,” Ottawa police Insp. Jamie Dunlop said in a news release Friday.
According to its website, the reading room, which is part of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, “provides a public space for exploring practical Christian healing in a comfortable and healing environment.”
The central area is surrounded by local businesses, including a Marriott Hotel, Tim Hortons and downtown spa. Residents and businesses say they are reeling from the violent attack that occurred in broad daylight on a busy street, just steps from their homes and workplaces.
Hennie Buckshi, the clerk at the First Church of Christ, Scientist on Metcalfe Street, told this newspaper that her longtime friend who was attacked “is the sweetest.”
“She’s just always so loving, just looking at everyone in a very helpful way. There couldn’t be anybody better than that.
“It’s a real shock, so we are all praying for her.”
Buckshi described Christian Science as “primitive Christianity,” where followers are students of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“We are always turning to prayer when there is a problem, so that’s of course what we are doing right now.”
Christian Scientists believe there is a healing element to prayer. In any situation where there is sickness or injury, followers first pray before turning to modern medicine or a doctor. They are allowed to go to doctors and hospitals, but individuals may choose not to, instead putting their faith in a healing God.
The victim and other volunteers who staff the reading room are typically alone.
“People come in, but you know people come in from the streets, sometimes people are living on the street and they come in,” Buckshi said.
The space is meant to be for the public and no one is turned away. Anyone can walk through its doors, including those wishing to undertake Bible study or have a quiet place to read and research, or homeless people looking for a warm place in the winter.
“People are looking for information, or come in to study and rest,” Buckshi said.
Buckshi said that volunteers and their families have acknowledged the work is done in isolation. She said she’s also worked as a librarian in the reading room for nearly two decades and hasn’t had any scary moments.
Buckshi said the area is very open, but neighbouring businesses told this newspaper how isolated the room is.
“They’re very nice, very quiet,” Patti Tarlington, receptionist at the nearby BossArts Salon and Spa, said of the librarians and staffers.
“There’s only ever a couple of people in there at one time, but nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever.”
Talat Ibrahim, who owns a shawarma restaurant across the street from the reading room, said he saw the woman being taken to a waiting ambulance yesterday.
“It’s scary … why did they do that? What is the reason? What do they want?”
Nicole, a passerby who didn’t want to give her last name, lives in the area.
“As a woman in 2018 right now, it’s horrifying to hear about these kinds of things, but what’s sad as well is that you don’t feel that shock anymore.
“You like to think that the people around you, that you’re interacting with every day, aren’t those kinds of people, and it’s really sad when something like this happens, especially so close to home.”
The reading room remained closed as forensic investigators continued to comb through the crime scene.
Homicide detectives are specifically asking anyone with information about people who may have been in the reading room or interacted with the victim on Thursday between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to contact them at 613-236-1222 ext. 5477 or by email at mcm@ottawapolice.ca.
— With files from Taylor Blewett
syogaretnam@postmedia.com
twitter.com/shaaminiwhy
查看原文...
The woman, 59, who has been a librarian at the reading room since May 2011, was found bloodied, beaten unconscious and half-naked inside the office of the drop-in space at 141C Laurier Ave. W., near Elgin Street, around 1 p.m. Thursday.
She was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. She remained there Friday afternoon, clinging to life. This newspaper is not yet naming her.
“Investigators are following up on all information and there is no suspect in custody at this time,” Ottawa police Insp. Jamie Dunlop said in a news release Friday.
According to its website, the reading room, which is part of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, “provides a public space for exploring practical Christian healing in a comfortable and healing environment.”
The central area is surrounded by local businesses, including a Marriott Hotel, Tim Hortons and downtown spa. Residents and businesses say they are reeling from the violent attack that occurred in broad daylight on a busy street, just steps from their homes and workplaces.
Hennie Buckshi, the clerk at the First Church of Christ, Scientist on Metcalfe Street, told this newspaper that her longtime friend who was attacked “is the sweetest.”
“She’s just always so loving, just looking at everyone in a very helpful way. There couldn’t be anybody better than that.
“It’s a real shock, so we are all praying for her.”
Buckshi described Christian Science as “primitive Christianity,” where followers are students of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“We are always turning to prayer when there is a problem, so that’s of course what we are doing right now.”
Christian Scientists believe there is a healing element to prayer. In any situation where there is sickness or injury, followers first pray before turning to modern medicine or a doctor. They are allowed to go to doctors and hospitals, but individuals may choose not to, instead putting their faith in a healing God.
The victim and other volunteers who staff the reading room are typically alone.
“People come in, but you know people come in from the streets, sometimes people are living on the street and they come in,” Buckshi said.
The space is meant to be for the public and no one is turned away. Anyone can walk through its doors, including those wishing to undertake Bible study or have a quiet place to read and research, or homeless people looking for a warm place in the winter.
“People are looking for information, or come in to study and rest,” Buckshi said.
Buckshi said that volunteers and their families have acknowledged the work is done in isolation. She said she’s also worked as a librarian in the reading room for nearly two decades and hasn’t had any scary moments.
Buckshi said the area is very open, but neighbouring businesses told this newspaper how isolated the room is.
“They’re very nice, very quiet,” Patti Tarlington, receptionist at the nearby BossArts Salon and Spa, said of the librarians and staffers.
“There’s only ever a couple of people in there at one time, but nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever.”
Talat Ibrahim, who owns a shawarma restaurant across the street from the reading room, said he saw the woman being taken to a waiting ambulance yesterday.
“It’s scary … why did they do that? What is the reason? What do they want?”
Nicole, a passerby who didn’t want to give her last name, lives in the area.
“As a woman in 2018 right now, it’s horrifying to hear about these kinds of things, but what’s sad as well is that you don’t feel that shock anymore.
“You like to think that the people around you, that you’re interacting with every day, aren’t those kinds of people, and it’s really sad when something like this happens, especially so close to home.”
The reading room remained closed as forensic investigators continued to comb through the crime scene.
Homicide detectives are specifically asking anyone with information about people who may have been in the reading room or interacted with the victim on Thursday between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to contact them at 613-236-1222 ext. 5477 or by email at mcm@ottawapolice.ca.
— With files from Taylor Blewett
syogaretnam@postmedia.com
twitter.com/shaaminiwhy
查看原文...
