Police in Ottawa have charged a 71-year-old man with aggravated assault after he allegedly stabbed an elderly Jewish woman inside a grocery store in the Canadian capital.
The suspect, Joseph Rooke, was arrested following Wednesday’s attack at a Loblaws supermarket, which is known for having one of Ottawa’s largest kosher food sections. Authorities also charged him with possession of a dangerous weapon. Police confirmed they are investigating the stabbing as a possible hate-motivated crime and are reviewing the suspect’s social media history.
According to the National Post, Rooke openly identified himself online as an antisemite and atheist. In a post last summer, he wrote: “Yes, I am antisemitic and atheist,” while calling Judaism “the world’s oldest cult.” He also claimed Jewish people had gained power in government, business, and media, accusing them of being “masters of propaganda” and “reprisal.”
In another post, Rooke declared: “I am under no obligation whatsoever, legal, moral, or otherwise, to like Jews and I do not.” Reports indicate his hostility toward Jews grew more intense after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed more than 1,200 people and saw hundreds taken hostage.
Before focusing on Jews, Rooke frequently attacked religion in general, describing Christianity, Islam, and other faiths as “nonsense.” He had called for Christmas to be renamed “Humanity Day” and even filed a legal challenge against the Canadian judiciary for requiring judges to include the phrase “so help me God” in their oath of office.
The victim, a Jewish woman in her 70s, was hospitalized after the stabbing but has since been released. Her name has not been made public. Rooke remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on September 2.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that they are treating the case with the utmost seriousness due to the likely hate-crime motive.
