Man charged in attack on senior

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This article was published 05/03/2025 (285 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The son of an 83-year-old woman who was attacked while she walked to a store to buy milk is upset the suspect taken into custody had been out on bail in relation to a violent assault in 2022.

Joseph Fourre reiterated his call for bail reform after Justin Aaron Michael Getty, 27, was arrested at the Ross Ellen housing complex at 390 Ross Ave. Wednesday.

He has been charged with aggravated assault in relation to the attack on Victoria Comeau in the Centennial neighbourhood on Feb. 25.

He is also accused of breaching bail conditions imposed in relation to an incident on May 12, 2022. He’s charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats.

“A violent offender, out on bail, attacks an innocent woman,” Fourre said on Wednesday after the charges were announced by police. “You can’t say it any clearer than that.

“We’ve heard how many times now about bail reform, bail reform. And yet nothing has changed. We are still in a catch-and-release mentality, including on some very violent offenders.”

Comeau remains in hospital with a shattered pelvis that was broken in four places.

Fourre said his mother has a long road to recovery and doctors believe she’ll be in hospital for another month.

The Winnipeg Police Service said Comeau was walking on the 300 block of William Avenue during the noon hour on Feb. 25 when she was assaulted. The woman, who was using a walker, fell to the ground, and the attacker continued to assault her until a witness intervened.

Fourre has said his mom was walking to Young’s Trading on William Avenue, which is near her home at Elgin Avenue and Ellen Street.

“She got to the corner, and a guy punched her in the back of the head,” Fourre said last month. “She turned around to see what was going on, and he punched her in the face.”

Getty’s convictions in Manitoba date back to 2016 and include two common assaults, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, mischief and a number of court order breaches.

“I’m angry that he chose my mother. I am angry for my mother… this could be a life-changing event for her.”

Fourre said a person in a vehicle pulled over to help and probably saved his mother’s life.

“I’m very grateful for the intervener,” Fourre said on Wednesday. “This could have been a lot worse. I appreciate the fast action by police to (make an arrest).”

Comeau’s walker and purse were recovered, police said.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca