Ottawa Police Identify Rideau Street Stabbing Victim as Gilles Comtois
The Ottawa Police Service has officially identified the victim of a fatal stabbing that occurred on February 19 as Gilles Comtois, a 58-year-old man known to many in the city's vulnerable community. This tragic incident marks Ottawa's fourth homicide of the year, sending shockwaves through the Rideau Street area where Comtois was a familiar presence.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The violent attack took place near the entrance to the Rideau Centre at the intersection of Rideau Street and Colonel By Drive. Emergency crews responded to the scene and discovered Comtois with life-threatening injuries. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his wounds later that same evening.
On February 20, just one day after the stabbing, Ottawa police announced that 70-year-old Yves Brisebois had been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Comtois' death. According to friends and acquaintances of the victim, Brisebois and Comtois were known to each other, with Brisebois reportedly approaching Comtois for approximately a week prior to the fatal encounter.
Remembering Gilles Comtois
Those who knew Comtois described him as a kind-hearted individual who was well-known in Ottawa's vulnerable community around Rideau Street. Friends noted he typically used a wheelchair during winter months and a walker in summer, and he had developed relationships with many in the area over the years.
"He's a good friend of mine... He was a friendly person, very straight up, and would give you the shirt off his back," said Courtenay Rose, who had known Comtois for more than 25 years.
Tragically, this was not the first time Comtois had been stabbed. Friends revealed that approximately three months earlier, he had been stabbed in the upper body following a dispute with teenagers after he refused to give them cigarettes.
Ottawa's Homicide Statistics and Investigation
This incident represents the fourth homicide in Ottawa this year. Previous cases include:
- The shooting death of 19-year-old Majed Al-Ar on February 11
- The stabbing deaths of Andrew Dawson-Swan, 37, and Shawn Challis-Eatough, 28, on February 6 and January 28 respectively
A total of six individuals have been charged with either manslaughter or second-degree murder in connection with those previous cases. In 2025, Ottawa recorded 19 homicides, highlighting ongoing concerns about violent crime in the city.
The Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit continues to investigate Comtois' death and has asked anyone with information about this or any other homicide to contact them at 613-236-1222 extension 5493. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or through their online portal at crimestoppers.ca.
As the investigation proceeds, the community mourns the loss of Gilles Comtois while authorities work to ensure justice is served in this tragic case that has left another family grieving and neighbors concerned about safety in the downtown core.
