A woman who was viciously assaulted Thursday afternoon at the Christian Science Reading Room in downtown Ottawa has died.
Relatives identified Elisabeth Salm, 59, as the victim.
Emergency crews were called to the scene at about 1 p.m. Thursday, where they found Salm in critical condition. She died in hospital Friday.
Anybody who would have come into the reading room would have known that she is a lovely person.- Hennie Buckshi
Church members are expressing shock at the attack on one of their own as police continue to seek witnesses.
Hennie Buckshi said Salm was a longtime member of the church who worked at the reading room most days, helping people who came in looking for information about the faith. She said everyone is stunned at what happened.
"Anybody who would have come into the reading room would have known that she is a lovely person," Buckshi said. "It's a shock to anyone in the community."
Meryvn Games, the church's organist, said he can't understand why anyone would have attacked Salm. "I am just so shocked that anybody could possibly want to harm anyone in the Christian Science Reading Room."
Buckshi said the reading room provides an opportunity for the church to share information about their faith for anyone interested.
"It is the open door to our church. People don't have to come to the church. It is open to anybody, whatever religion people are," she said.
Police seeking witnesses
Insp. Jamie Dunlop said police want to speak with anyone who might have been in the area of the reading room between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
"We are taking this investigation very seriously. We have multiple people working on the file," Dunlop said.
Dunlop said the woman began her volunteer shift at 10 a.m. and was found by a co-worker at 12:30 p.m. Police said investigators aren't aware of any motive for the attack.
"It's really too early," he said.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Ottawa police at 613-236-1222 ext. 5477, or send an email to mcm@ottawapolice.ca.
In an emailed statement, church spokesperson Wendy Margolese wrote that they're "grateful for all that first responders and others have done and are doing. Like most people in such a situation, Christian Scientists appreciate the concern and support of the community and the respect shown for the family's privacy at this difficult moment."