From Ottawa Police Instagram
Retired Ottawa firefighter and ex-Military Veteran, John Sobey was grocery shopping when he heard screaming. He rushed to the scene to find an elderly woman with stab wounds.
John quickly used his first aid knowledge to bandage the injured woman and help stop the bleeding. In the video, https://www.instagram.com/p/DN81wuvAUup/?img_index=2 you can see him performing medical treatment while emergency services were still being called.
The woman was a member of Ottawa’s Jewish community and had just entered the Loblaws at College Square when she was attacked in an unprovoked assault. Many Jewish organizations are speaking up and calling for justice to the situation.
Police say the suspect, a 71-year-old man, was arrested on scene and now faces charges of aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon.
Thanks to John’s fast actions and the support of store staff, the victim survived. Despite being hospitalized in serious condition, she was released less than 48 hours later and continues her recovery surrounded by family and community support.
Ottawa Police say the investigation is ongoing, with the Hate and Bias Crime Unit assisting. Community leaders and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe have expressed their solidarity and well-wishes for the victim.
We join the community in thanking John for his bravery, quick thinking, and dedication to helping others, even in retirement.
CMEA Note:
John Sobey joined the Canadian Forces as a firefighter in October 1980. On completion of training at the CF Firefighters School at Camp Borden, he was posted to CFB Shearwater in August 1981 and later transferred to HMCS Saguenay from August 1986 to April 1987. John was released in June 1990 as a Master Corporal. He began his second career as a firefighter with the City of Gloucester Fire Department in July 1990, becoming a member of the Ottawa Fire Service on Ottawa’s amalgamation.
John Sobey retired in April 2022 as a Captain with the City of Ottawa Fire Service.
Also see:
https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/one-person-arrested-in-baseline-rd-stabbing.aspx