Ottawa’s Carlington neighbourhood is reeling after the city’s first homicide of 2026. On the evening of January 28, 28-year-old Shawn Challis-Eatough of Brantford was found with life-threatening stab wounds in the 1400 block of Mayview Avenue, Ottawa police confirm. Moments after first responders reached the scene just after 7 p.m., he was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.
Neighbours recall a sudden, frantic scene as paramedics and police vehicles converged on the quiet residential street. Friends and loved ones say Shawn’s loss has hit the community hard, leaving behind a circle of people who knew him as warm, spirited, and full of life. His passing has stirred grief far beyond his hometown of Brantford, touching Ottawa residents who remember him fondly.
Ottawa Police Service quickly labeled the case a homicide. Officers say two men – 41-year-old Steve Vivian of Ottawa and 19-year-old Anthony Meredith of Kitchener, Ontario – have been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing. A 41-year-old Ottawa woman was also arrested in relation to the investigation, though police have not charged her.
Investigators emphasize there is no ongoing threat to public safety, but they continue piecing together how events unfolded that night. Police remain tight-lipped about details of what led up to the violence, saying the probe is active and urging anyone with relevant information to step forward.
For Shawn’s family, the loss is indescribable. People who knew him talk about his easy laugh and the joy he brought into everyday moments. In conversations with those closest to him, Shawn is remembered as someone who made an impact on others simply by being present, friendly, and generous with his time.
Carlington residents have been keeping an eye on the quiet street where it all happened. Business owners and neighbours have left flowers and notes, turning a stretch of sidewalk into a makeshift memorial. In a city where violent crime like this is still relatively rare, the stabbing has shaken local rhythms and sparked conversations about safety and community support.
Ottawa police urge anyone with information about the incident to call the Homicide Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5493. As the investigation continues, the city holds space for a grieving family and a community still trying to understand how a young life was taken in such a sudden and shocking way.
