A man from Cobalt in northern Ontario has admitted to attempting to murder his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend with a sword two years ago. Phillipe Rivard Gagnon, 20, made the guilty plea at the Haileybury courthouse. The incident occurred on Nov. 3, 2024, when Kaylie Smith was struck by an SUV driven by Gagnon as she was getting off a transit bus in Cobalt. Following the collision, Gagnon attacked her with a sword, resulting in severe injuries to Kaylie’s hands.
Gagnon, who was 18 at the time of the attack, was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted murder and possession of a dangerous weapon. He has remained in custody since then, being transferred from the North Bay jail to attend court sessions in Haileybury over the past two years. During his recent court appearance, Gagnon pleaded guilty to the attempted murder charge, while the weapons offense is yet to be addressed by the court in the upcoming months.
A sentencing date has not been set yet, but the case is scheduled to return to Haileybury court on Sept. 16. Kaylie Smith, the victim of the violent assault, has been praised by her family for her strength and resilience. For those facing immediate danger or impacted by family or intimate partner violence, seeking assistance from crisis lines and local support services is strongly advised.