Article content
As police continued to seek witnesses, neighbours of popular McNabb Park in Centretown expressed surprise and shock Sunday that a teenager had died after an incident there Friday night.
Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster, who lives a block away from the park, called the death “horrendous. We are all shocked.”
Article content
Troster said it was doubly concerning that the incident happened in the early evening “when families could have been there.”
Article content
She said the park, which includes playgrounds, fields, a wading pool, community gardens and a dog park, in addition to the busy skate park, is well used and generally very peaceful.
“I have an 11-year-old daughter. She grew up in that park. There are tons of kids in the neighbourhood. It is a real community park and is extremely well used,” Troster said. “This is unusual and a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to the family.”
Police were called to the park bordered by Gladstone and Bronson avenues on Friday evening at 7:55 p.m. for reports of a possible fight, according to a statement released over the weekend. An injured 16-year-old at the park was transported to hospital where they later died.
No further information was released about the victim, but the OPS said its homicide unit is investigating the case as a suspicious death.
Police had not made any arrests as of late Saturday and said they did not believe there was an ongoing risk to public safety. Police did not release any updates on Sunday.
Troster said she had been hearing from some local residents, especially those who use the park, with questions and concerns. She said she would facilitate a “post-incident meeting” with Ottawa police if neighbours are interested to help answer some of those questions. It is something Troster helped organize after a shooting last year on Bank Street in Centretown.
Article content
On a sunny Sunday morning at the park, police tape that had been up on Saturday was removed and numerous people were using the park.
Skateboarder Adam Fortais, who lives nearby, said he goes to the park most days but wasn’t aware of the incident on Friday.
“It’s usually pretty chill. It’s actually quite nice, there’s a lot of adult skaters here. Everybody is very kind.”
Clarissa Allen was with her young daughter at the playground waiting for a dance class at the nearby community centre. She was unaware of the incident on Friday evening.
“We spend a lot of time in this park. It’s a really lovely space to spend time in.” She, her partner and their daughter live nearby.
Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.
Recommended from Editorial
Share this article in your social network