Northern Ontario teen recovering in hospital after being attacked; ex-boyfriend charged with attempted murder
**WARNING - This article contains graphic details of intimate partner violence and may be upsetting to some readers
Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was among approximately 120 people who gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil near the scene of a vicious attack against a 16-year-old in Cobalt.
Around 120 people gathered in Cobalt, Ont., for a candlelight vigil in honour of a 16-teen-year old girl who is recovering from a vicious attack. Nov. 10, 2024 (Charlie Angus)
Kaylie Smith was getting off the bus at the intersection of Upper Helen Street and Prospect Avenue in Cobalt around 6 p.m. Nov. 3 when her ex-boyfriend allegedly hit her with his car before getting out and attacking her with a sword, Ontario Provincial Police said.
Her left hand was severed in the attack.
Phillip Rivard Gagnon, 18, allegedly fled the scene in his vehicle and was arrested on Algonquin Drive in the Haileybury area of Temiskaming Shores shortly after.
Gagnon was serving a conditional sentence when he was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons possession.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Police are calling the attack a case of intimate partner violence.
"The Town of Cobalt came out tonight in a beautiful display of love for Kaylie Smith," Angus said in a social media post.
Kaylie Smith, 16, is in hospital in Ottawa after suffering a brutal attack on Nov. 3 in Cobalt, Ont. (Paige Smith)
"Horrific violence has taken place, but now is the time for solidarity, community and healing. We light candles to tell darkness that it has no dominion over us."
An online fundraising campaign has raised more than $94,000 in one week.
The money raised will help support her family, cover any legal fees or anything else she might need during her recovery.
Smith is awake and stable in hospital in Ottawa.
CTV News is naming the victim at the request of her family.
Kaylie Smith, 16, is in hospital in Ottawa after suffering a brutal attack on Nov. 3 in Cobalt, Ont. (Paige Smith)
Gagnon remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 12 in Haileybury.
None of the charges laid against him on Nov. 3 have been proven in court.
A protest is planned for outside the courthouse Tuesday morning calling for the judge to deny bail for the accused.
Candlelight vigil held for Kaylie Smith, 16, near where she was viciously attacked on Nov. 3. Nov. 10, 2024 (Sue Nielsen)
Candlelight vigil held for Kaylie Smith, 16, near where she was viciously attacked on Nov. 3. Nov. 10, 2024 (Sue Nielsen)
Candlelight vigil held for Kaylie Smith, 16, near where she was viciously attacked on Nov. 3. Nov. 10, 2024 (Sue Nielsen)
Candlelight vigil held for Kaylie Smith, 16, near where she was viciously attacked on Nov. 3. Nov. 10, 2024 (Sue Nielsen)
Candlelight vigil held for Kaylie Smith, 16, near where she was viciously attacked on Nov. 3. Nov. 10, 2024 (Sue Nielsen)
Help is available
Confidential and free support is available for people experiencing violence. In an emergency, call 911.
- Assaulted Women's Helpline 1-866-863-0511
- Fem'aide Helpline 1-877-336-2433
- Talk4Healing for Indigenous women 1-855-554-4325
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
N.Y. prosecutors charge Luigi Mangione with murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO, court records show
Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors filed murder and other charges against Luigi Nicholas Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, according to an online court docket.
Union dropped wage demand to 19% over four years in Canada Post negotiations: CUPW
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant told CTV News.
Taxpayer-funded Eras Tour tickets returned by federal minister
While tens of thousands of fans packed Vancouver's BC Place for the last shows of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, a federal cabinet minister wasn't one of them.
Sudbury, Ont., family traumatized after hospital said loved one had been released, when in fact they had passed away
Sudbury resident Angela Vitiello says a staff member at Health Sciences North told her that her brother, Allan St. Martin, was released from the hospital late last month when, in fact, he had passed away.
What the upcoming holiday GST relief will mean for consumers
The federal government's GST break will arrive this Saturday, just in time for the last stretch of holiday shopping.
Liberal government survives third Conservative non-confidence vote
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest attempt to topple the minority Liberal government in a non-confidence vote failed on Monday, thanks to the New Democrats.
Katie Holmes refutes story about daughter Suri Cruise’s fortune
Katie Holmes has posted a screen grab of a Daily Mail article, which reported that her 18-year old daughter, whose father is Tom Cruise, is now a "millionaire."
Polygamous U.S. sect leader gets 50 years in prison in scheme to orchestrate sex involving children
A polygamist religious leader in the U.S. who claimed more than 20 spiritual “wives” including 10 underage girls was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Monday.
Trudeau says dealing with Trump will be 'a little more challenging' than last time
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said dealing with incoming president Donald Trump and his thundering on trade will be 'a little more challenging' than the last time.