Missing 13-Year-Old Girl to Locate

The OPS is seeking the public’s assistance with locating a 13-year-old missing person named Saralyn Sheppard. Her family have concerns for her well-being. She was last seen in the Wiggins Private and Chapel Crescent area on July 19. Sheppard is described as a White female, 5’6″ tall, with a medium build, light brown eyes and long red hair. She was possibly wearing a red sweater and black leggings. Anyone with information is asked to call the Central Division Staff Sergeant’s Desk.  Images of Saralyn are available for viewing on the OPS social media pages. 

Joint human trafficking investigation leads to three arrests; police seek additional victims

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Unit East Team, in partnership with the OPS through the Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS), is seeking additional victims following a lengthy multi-jurisdictional human trafficking investigation that resulted in the arrest of three men from the Ottawa area.

The accused are: 28-year-old Moad Ben Yahya, a.k.a. ‘Benzi’, 27-year-old Abdulaziz Al-Zouaghi, a.k.a. ‘Zee’, and 26-year-old Mohammad Elmuradi, a.k.a. ‘Mur.’ The three face numerous human trafficking and human-trafficking-related charges.

Between 2025 and July 2026, investigators from the OPP Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Unit East Team and the OPS Human Trafficking Unit conducted a complex investigation into an alleged organized human trafficking network operating between Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area. The investigation originated in the Ottawa and London regions and expanded to multiple communities across Ontario, including Windsor, London, Toronto and Sarnia.

Throughout the investigation, authorities identified several women as potential victims. To date, six women have come forward and provided statements to investigators. Police worked closely with these victims to ensure they received immediate access to specialized supports and services. Anyone with information about the accused individuals or this investigation is encouraged to contact the OPS Human Trafficking Unit.

Crossbow bolt lodged in Orléans home

In an update to an incident that occurred overnight between June 7 and June 8, the OPS has concluded an investigation into a crossbow bolt lodged in a home. Following an extensive investigation, members of East Criminal Investigations identified the person responsible. Investigators conducted a neighbourhood canvass, reviewed surveillance footage, interviewed witnesses and worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources and other partner agencies.

On July 17, the individual visited the East District station and admitted to firing a crossbow bolt at a coyote while walking along a nearby pathway. The bolt missed the animal, ricocheted off the pavement and was later found lodged in the residence. No injuries to either humans or animals were reported. The individual was deemed suitable for diversion, an alternative process that promotes accountability through appropriate conditions or programming rather than formal prosecution.

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Merivale Road Shooting

On July 4, at approximately 7:20 P.M. ET, an altercation occurred between two large groups. Shots were fired into a vehicle of people involved in the altercation, striking one passenger. They were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities took two people into custody at the scene, later releasing them pending further investigation.

The OPS is asking anyone with information to contact the Guns and Gangs Unit.

Murder-Suicide Investigation Continues

In a follow-up to the homicide of the two young boys in their Mandevilla Crescent home on June 29, the OPS seeks to support the boys’ mother and to respect her privacy. The names of the children will not be released publicly.

Police have, however, released the identity of the father. Authorities found 40-year-old Mohammed Al-Lami deceased in the Kemptville area and believe he caused the children’s deaths. Several investigative and forensic examinations are still outstanding and require time to complete.

Finlayson Crescent Hostage Situation

On the morning of July 2, at approximately 7 a.m. ET, the OPS received a 911 call about a woman being held hostage at knife point inside a home on Finlayson Crescent. Officers responded and established a secure perimeter around the residence.

A significant police presence remained in the area throughout the incident to ensure public safety and support efforts to resolve the situation peacefully. For more than 14 hours, officers and negotiators worked to peacefully resolve the situation. At 9 p.m. ET, the Tactical Unit made entry into the residence and rescued the woman, who was physically unharmed, and is receiving appropriate support. An officer shot the man, and he was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation remains ongoing, and charges are pending. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. In accordance with standard procedure when a police firearm is discharged, authorities have notified the Special Investigations Unit to ensure it can fulfill its mandate. 

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Man carrying imitation gun

On June 18, at approximately 12:27 a.m. ET, officers responded to a report of a man dressed in black and carrying what appeared to be an assault-style rifle. Officers quickly located the man on Seneca Street and made an arrest without incident. An imitation assault-style rifle, a replica handgun with a magazine, and additional magazines were seized. The OPS Central Investigations Section has charged a man in his 20s with two counts of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, one count of carrying a concealed weapon, one count of common nuisance/endangering the lives or safety of the public and one count of mischief.

OPS officer facing charges in Halton

On June 19, the OPS was notified that Staff Sergeant Walt Lushman had been charged by the Halton Regional Police Service following an off-duty incident in Oakville. The incident occurred on Friday, June 12, at approximately 10:20 p.m. ET, following an alleged dispute related to a collision between two vehicles. Staff Sergeant Lushman has been charged with one count of assault and was released on an undertaking with conditions. The matter remains under criminal investigation by the Halton Regional Police Service. Staff Sergeant Lushman will have no public-facing duties while authorities investigate this matter.

Whereabouts unknown after hate-motivated assault

On June 20, at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET in the 100 block of Woodridge Cres., unprovoked, a man approached a woman and uttered a racial slur, forcibly removed her hijab and threw an umbrella at her, before fleeing on foot. Fortunately, the victim sustained no physical injuries. The suspect was unknown to the victim and remains outstanding. If you have information related to this incident, please contact the OPS. 

Months-long investigation concludes

The OPS Break and Enter Unit has concluded a months-long investigation into a series of break and enters affecting businesses in the Vanier and Overbrook areas. The investigation began on Feb. 1, and focused on incidents occurring through June 1. Across 20 incidents, suspects targeted several businesses, including some they victimized more than once. Authorities arrested a 45-year-old man, who remains in custody. The accused faces a total of 61 Criminal Code charges, including multiple counts of break and enter, mischief, possession of break-in instruments, and breaching probation. The man is scheduled to appear in court on June 29.

Last week’s crime coverage.

The post Ottawa police blotter – June 24 appeared first on CompassNews.

Police arrest youth for arson

On June 9, emergency crews, including Ottawa Fire Services (OFS), responded to a fire just before 3:30 p.m. ET. All residents escaped the burning home. One person suffered minor smoke inhalation. Sadly, three dogs perished in the fire. The OFS Fire Investigator and the Office of the Fire Marshal are conducting an investigation in partnership.

Authorities have arrested a youth, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, in relation to this incident. The youth faces charges of: Arson – disregard for human life, Arson – causing property damage, Possession of incendiary material for arson, Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm (x2), Killing/injuring animals (x3), and Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal (x3). The youth appeared in court on June 10. 

Residents report shooting

On June 10, at approximately 4:00 a.m. ET, multiple people made 911 calls reporting that they’d heard gunshots in the area of Fine Crescent. One resident reported that a shot hit their house. Officers attended and located evidence of a shooting. There were no reported injuries, and investigators have made no arrests. The OPS believes that this was a targeted shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Guns and Gangs Unit.

Three charged for counterfeiting

On June 13, three individuals were charged following an investigation into the use of counterfeit Canadian currency in fraudulent online marketplace transactions. Since March, the OPS has received multiple reports of individuals using counterfeit banknotes to purchase legitimate items advertised on online platforms, including Facebook Marketplace. Reported items have included electronics, collectible cards, gold jewellery, and computer equipment. Multiple victims have reported losses totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

On June 13, at approximately 6:00 a.m. ET, members of the Ottawa Police Tactical Unit, along with supporting units, executed a search warrant at a residence in the Parkwood Hills area in Ottawa’s west end. Authorities located and arrested three individuals inside the residence. One individual attempted to flee before being taken into custody.

As part of the investigation, officers seized thousands of dollars in counterfeit currency believed to be connected to fraudulent online transactions. Officers also seized legitimate currency they believe are proceeds of crime. During the search, officers allege they recovered; thousands of dollars in counterfeit and legitimate currency, a quantity of stolen property and approximately 1.5 kilograms of cannabis, with additional charges anticipated as the investigation continues.

The accused, all from Ottawa, have been identified as: 29-year-old Ali Qasem, 21-year-old Hudie Ghezel, and 18-year-old Yassir Farah. The OPS asks anyone with information related to this investigation to get in contact. 

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In a follow-up to a previous story, on June 6, the Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit arrested 31-year-old Gibriil Bakal in relation to the homicide of Jama Roble on Champagne Avenue South. Bakal was wanted for first-degree murder following a shooting that occurred on Jan. 29, 2024, in the 100 block of Champagne Avenue South. The victim was 33-year-old Jama Roble, of Ottawa, who later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Bakal was arrested in Türkiye after biometric checks at the border matched his fingerprints to an Interpol Red Notice. Turkish authorities confirmed his identity and notified the RCMP, which then contacted the Ottawa Police Service. Bakal appeared in court today. The OPS would like to thank its policing and justice partners for their assistance, as well as the Bolo Program for helping amplify the wanted notice nationally. No further details are available at this time as the matter is now before the courts.

On June 4, the OPS charged a 73-year-old man with offences related to Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). On June 4, 2026, the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the south end of Ottawa. Following the examination of devices seized at the scene, authorities arrested and charged Wilbert Reid Telfer with possessing and accessing CSAEM. The investigation is ongoing, pending the examination of a significant number of electronic devices seized at the scene. Telfer appeared in court on June 4. The Ottawa Police Service ICE Unit is asking anyone with information to get in contact.

On June 4, the OPS Guns and Gangs Unit arrested and charged two individuals in connection with a June 3 shooting. Authorities charged a 21-year-old man with several firearms-related offences. A 45-year-old woman was charged with one Criminal Code offence. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Guns and Gangs Unit.

On June 6, at approximately 3:00 p.m ET in the 300 block of Michael Cowpland Dr. an assault occurred that is currently under investigation by the OPS Hate and Bias Crime Unit. A suspect riding a black mountain bike approached the victim. The suspect made racial slurs, threatened and assaulted the victim before fleeing the area. Ottawa Paramedic Service personnel treated the victim at the scene. The suspect has not yet been identified and remains outstanding. He is described as White, in his 20s or 30s, approximately 5’11 – 6’ tall, with a medium build and short curly black hair. At the time of the incident, he was wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt. Anyone who has information is asked to call the Hate and Bias Crime Unit.

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In a follow-up to a previous story, on May 27, the OPS charged a 50-year-old man in connection with a sexual assault that occurred late Saturday, March 28, on Colonel By Drive, in the area beneath the Mackenzie King Bridge. The assault took place between approximately 11:00 p.m. ET and midnight. The assault was subsequently reported to the OPS, and the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit investigated the incident. During the investigation, officers identified the suspect as 50-year-old David Cheddesingh and arrested him on May 25. The investigation is ongoing and investigators believe there could be additional victims. Police are asking anyone who may have been driving along Colonel By Drive during that time and has dash cam footage, or anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed anything suspicious, to come forward.

On May 29, the OPS charged two men following a multi-jurisdictional investigation involving technology-facilitated sexual violence. After the OPS received a report of harmful online content depicting the victim, investigators quickly launched a trauma-informed and victim-centred investigation. The investigation focused on allegations of criminal harassment and the online exploitation of women, including the alleged misuse of emerging technologies to create and distribute harmful sexual content without consent, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes. As the investigation progressed, investigators determined that the impact extended beyond a single complainant and crossed jurisdictional boundaries. 

Police charged Stephen Lowe, 60, of Maitland, NS and Gregry Van Beek, 38, of West Nipissing, ON. Police arrested Lowe on February 12 and charged him with 25 counts of harassment by combination of prohibited conduct, 25 counts of uttering threats, 25 counts of publishing/possessing obscene material for distribution, 2 counts of printing/publishing/possessing to publish child sexual abuse material, and 2 counts of importing/selling/distributing, etc. child sexual abuse material. 

Van Beek was arrested on May 2 and has been charged with 2 counts of harassment by watching and besetting, 1 count of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, 2 counts of uttering threats and 2 counts of publishing intimate images without consent. As the matter is before the courts and subject to a publication ban, that is all the available information at this time.

On May 30, the OPS responded to Mooney’s Bay Park at approximately 8:53 p.m. ET following reports of a stabbing altercation, where two injured victims were located. Authorities located two injured victims, transporting one to the hospital with serious injuries, while the other victim received minor injuries. No arrests have been made at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the OPS.

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According to Senior Policy Advisor Shraddha Badaravada, drone technology is moving faster than the rules, with many questions surrounding citizens’ data at top of mind.

“A drone operation today is a human-operated tool with accountable people behind every flight. It is not an autonomous robot making independent decisions,” clarified Badaravada. “However, greater autonomy is now on the technical horizon.” 

Currently, drones, or remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), are used under specific circumstances in police work, such as missing person searches and search and rescue, collision reconstruction and crime-scene mapping, and situational awareness at major incidents. 

But Badaravada noted a qualitative shift in this regard, where the use of drones is expanding into the role of a first responder. The idea behind this would be for drones to arrive at a location ahead of officers. Pilots for such usage are not fully operational yet, but have been announced in Peel and Durham regions in Ontario and in Red Deer, Alberta. 

As for how drone technology and the law interact, Badaravada said developments are highly dynamic. 

“The rulebook is actually changing, the pace of this change has been extremely unusual and it’s rapid in motion,” said Badaravada, pointing to 15 legislative and regulatory developments that have emerged at federal, provincial, regulatory, and international levels over the last year and a half. 

In fact, on Wednesday, the Ontario government announced an immediate ban on Chinese-made drones in highly sensitive Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) operations, as well as a prohibition on Chinese procurement. 

How this announcement might impact Ottawa police operations was unknown to Paul Burnett, Deputy Chief of Police.

“I know that we use DJI as equipment,” said Burnett, when asked about the source of the Ottawa Police Service’s drone technology. “I haven’t looked into how that announcement would impact us personally.” 

DJI is a Chinese technology company that manufactures commercial drones. The OPP also uses DJI for its drone equipment. 

Following further questions on data storage, the Board took the briefing for information.

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The term femicide, defined as the intentional murder of women or girls on the basis of gender, was brought into circulation by the Ottawa Poice Service in 2022 as a way to track and classify homicides with female victims. 

It isn’t a formal charge or definition in the Canadian Criminal Code; rather, it’s an “acknowledgement” of the motive or context of a homicide, says Melanie Winwood. Winwood, a social worker who has studied GBV for over 15 years, chaired the advisory committee that oversaw the implementation of a GBV advisor within the Ottawa Police Service. She has now held that role since 2021.

In the first four months of 2025, there were two femicides, which occurred within days of each other. In comparison, there were four in 2024, and the first did not occur until July.

While Winwood said it’s too soon to say whether or not these two cases indicate an increased rate for 2025, she’s “watching closely.”

Homicide detectives assigned to the case are the “first line” in determining whether or not a homicide qualifies as a “femicide”, she explained. In the two cases so far of this year, she said they were quick to apply the definition.

“They’re understanding that education piece, and I’ve done a lot of that work internally to try to get people to understand why we’re doing this and things like that,” Winwood told Ottawa Compass. 

Renée Descary, 51, was killed on Heney Street shortly after 4:30 p.m. on April 1 Ottawa Police say they have charged Oliver Denai, 24, of Ottawa, with second-degree murder, alleging he stabbed her to death. Police also say her death is being investigated as a femicide.

On April 5, police responded to an address on Bentbrook Crescent in Barrhaven where they located a woman who was deceased. The Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit have since identified the victim as Brenda Rus, 60, and charged Robert Rus, 61, with first-degree murder. Police also said the case is being considered a femicide.

In both cases, detectives determined that the “manner” of the homicides as well as the context deemed them femicides.

“The intent is just bringing the awareness and appropriately labelling it to be able to recognize what occurred,” explained Winwood. 

The Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability (CFOJA) has been tracking and labelling femicides on a national level since 2018. Between 2018 and 2022, reported femicides have been consistently rising, CFOJA data shows, with 196 estimated in 2022.

But Winwood said there is also an “expectation” of additional work to be done that accompanies using the term “femicide”.

“It’s one thing to come out and use appropriate language and label these as femicides. But we also have to try to continue working towards addressing it as much as we can,” she explained. “We can’t just sit back and be like, ‘Okay, like we’re using the word femicide. We’re good now.’” 

Many cases of GBV occur within intimate partner relationships, and the violence escalates over time before sometimes resulting in a femicide, Winwood said. In these cases, there are signs of violence, and the femicides can sometimes be prevented with early intervention.

There are also emerging trends that she said she finds “additionally concerning”. For example, she says there are increasing rates of violence and sexual assault against women perpetrated by young males under the age of 18.

“That’s kind of something that I’m really taking a look at to see if that’s going to, potentially, but hopefully doesn’t, lead to any femicide, especially with such young people,” she said. Though she said she doesn’t have access to ongoing investigations and evidence, she suspects social media is playing a big part in this. 

“To be quite fair, the political climate and misogynistic groups are having a lot of movement,” she explained. “Europe has a lot of misogynistic movements happening, so that’s something I’m keeping an eye on here, too.” 

In general, she said there must be an emphasis placed on believing and supporting victims so that more women and girls feel encouraged to report any violence they are experiencing.

“I’m very much in support of us naming this an epidemic. Our own stats demonstrate that every year we get more and more reports, and we know that that’s just a small fraction of the women that are actually experiencing violence,” she explained. “Most women, unless they are really feeling like they are in danger, just aren’t just reaching out to police.

“Considering that we’re getting almost 7,000 calls a year, and we know that that’s a fraction of the reality, we know that nothing’s going down, which is a problem,” Winwood continued. “So the fact that every year we’re getting more and more calls, and more and more women are being murdered, that definitely shows that we’re at crisis point.”

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