On August 27, 2025, a Jewish woman in her 70s was stabbed in an unprovoked attack at a Loblaws supermarket in Ottawa’s College Square, a store known for its extensive kosher section. The suspect, identified as 71-year-old Joseph Rooke from Cornwall, Ontario, has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon. The Ottawa Police Service has classified the incident as a hate-motivated crime, prompting widespread outrage from community leaders, Jewish organizations, and political figures, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The Incident at Loblaws
The attack occurred around 1:35 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the Loblaws store located in the 1900 block of Baseline Road, in Ottawa’s Nepean neighborhood. According to police reports, the victim, a Jewish woman in her 70s, was shopping with a friend when she was approached by a man who stabbed her in the torso. The assault was described as unprovoked, with no prior relationship between the victim and the suspect.
Store staff and emergency responders acted quickly, and the woman was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries. She was initially reported to be in critical but stable condition but was later treated and released, allowing her to recover at home. Joseph Rooke, the suspect, was arrested at the scene without incident and surrendered peacefully to the police. The Ottawa Police Service’s West Criminal Investigations Unit is leading the investigation, with assistance from the hate-crimes unit.
On August 28, Rooke appeared in court and was formally charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon. Authorities have indicated that further charges may be added as the investigation progresses. The police have also increased their presence in areas significant to Ottawa’s Jewish community, such as synagogues and community centers, to provide reassurance and enhance security in the wake of the attack.
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The Jewish Federation of Ottawa issued a statement on August 28, expressing deep shock and concern over the incident. They described the victim as a “cherished member” of the community and emphasized their gratitude for her recovery. Out of respect for her privacy, the federation withheld her identity and further personal details. They also confirmed ongoing communication with law enforcement, the mayor’s office, and other community organizations to ensure a coordinated response and to address safety concerns for Jewish residents.
Suspect’s Background and Social Media Activity
Joseph Rooke, a 71-year-old resident of Cornwall, Ontario, has been identified as the suspect in this case. While little is known about his personal life from official sources, court documents and public records reveal a history of legal pursuits and inflammatory online activity.
Rooke, who identifies as a status Indian and has ties to the Six Nations of the Grand River, has a record of filing unsuccessful lawsuits, including a 2018 attempt to certify a class-action lawsuit against the Canadian government over dental care coverage for Indigenous people. His application was dismissed, and he continued to pursue legal appeals, often without legal representation, including demands that Supreme Court justices resign for invoking religious oaths.
More concerning is Rooke’s social media presence, particularly on a Facebook account matching his identity, which contains a series of antisemitic and anti-Israel posts. According to B’nai Brith Canada, Rooke’s online activity includes statements accusing Jews of being “insidious in governments, businesses, media conglomerates, and educational institutions” and labeling them as “masters of propaganda, gaslighting, demonization, demagoguery, and outright lying.”
In one post from about a year prior to the attack, Rooke explicitly declared, “I am under no obligation whatsoever, legal, moral, or otherwise, to like Jews and I do not. If that means I meet the Jewish definition of an anti-Semite, so be it.” He also described Judaism as “the world’s oldest cult” and railed against religion in general, identifying himself as an atheist and “digital creator.”
These posts have led organizations like B’nai Brith Canada to assert that Rooke’s motives for the attack are clear. They described his comments as those of a “hateful man and a rabid antisemite” and criticized Canadian authorities for failing to address the unchecked spread of hate on social media platforms.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) echoed these sentiments, noting that the Loblaws store in question has been a repeated target of anti-Israel protests, which may have contributed to the climate of hostility. While Rooke’s social media activity has drawn significant attention, none of the allegations against him have been proven in court, and he remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance on September 2, 2025.
Community and Political Response
The stabbing has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders, community organizations, and the public, highlighting growing concerns about antisemitism in Canada. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe expressed his sadness and solidarity with the Jewish community, noting that he had spoken with the victim and her family. He praised her resilience and gratitude toward first responders, emphasizing that the incident was a stark reminder of the need to combat hatred in all its forms.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the attack “deeply disturbing,” stating that “hate, violence, and antisemitism have no place in our province.” Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a post on X, described the attack as “senseless” and reaffirmed his commitment to confronting antisemitism, writing, “To Canada’s Jewish community: you are not alone. We stand with you against hate and threats to your safety.”
The Jewish Federation of Ottawa, in collaboration with CIJA and other partners, has begun discussions with Loblaws to enhance security measures at the store to ensure the safety of Jewish shoppers. They are also working to strengthen community security infrastructure, drawing on national models to address the rising tide of antisemitic incidents.
Adam Silver, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, visited the Loblaws store on August 29 to meet with community members shopping for Shabbat, acknowledging their fear but encouraging resilience. Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, highlighted the emotional impact of the attack, noting that the inability to safely perform routine tasks like grocery shopping or picking up a challah for Shabbat “hits differently” for the Jewish community.
The incident is part of a broader wave of antisemitic violence in Canada since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza. B’nai Brith Canada reported a record 6,218 antisemitic incidents in 2024, a 7% increase from the previous year.
Recent events in Canada include the firebombing of a Montreal synagogue, gunfire targeting a Jewish girls’ school in Toronto, and bomb threats against Jewish institutions nationwide. Ottawa’s National Holocaust Monument was also vandalized in June 2025 with graffiti referencing the Gaza conflict. These incidents have heightened fears within the Jewish community, with many calling for stronger action from political leaders and law enforcement to address the growing threat.
The Ottawa Police Service has emphasized its commitment to investigating the stabbing as a hate-motivated crime, with Deputy Chief Trish Ferguson acknowledging the community’s concerns. The police have urged anyone with information to contact the West Criminal Investigations Unit or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers. The involvement of the hate-crimes unit underscores the seriousness of the case, and the increased police presence in Jewish community areas aims to provide reassurance while the investigation continues.
The stabbing of a Jewish woman at a kosher supermarket in Ottawa has sent shockwaves through the city and beyond, highlighting the persistent threat of antisemitism in Canada. Joseph Rooke’s arrest and the charges of aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon mark the beginning of a legal process that will be closely watched by the Jewish community and the public.
His history of antisemitic social media posts has fueled speculation about his motives, though the courts will ultimately determine the full scope of his actions. In the meantime, the incident has galvanized community leaders, politicians, and organizations to call for stronger measures to combat hate and ensure the safety of all Canadians.
As the Jewish Federation of Ottawa works to support the victim and strengthen community security, the broader challenge remains: addressing the root causes of antisemitism and fostering a society where no one fears violence while performing everyday tasks like shopping for groceries.