A man in Cobalt, northern Ontario, has admitted to attempting to murder his 16-year-old former girlfriend with a sword two years ago. Phillipe Rivard Gagnon, 20, made the 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 alighting from a transit bus in Cobalt. Following the collision, Gagnon proceeded to assault her with a sword. Reports from Smith’s family revealed severe injuries, including the loss of one hand and severe damage to the other.
Gagnon, who was 18 at the time of the attack, was charged with attempted murder and possession of a dangerous weapon. He has been in custody since then, regularly transported from North Bay jail to attend court hearings in Haileybury. During his recent court appearance, Gagnon pleaded guilty to the attempted murder charge, while the weapons charge remains pending and is expected to be addressed by the courts in the upcoming months. A sentencing date is yet to be set, but the case is scheduled to return to the Haileybury court on Sept. 16.
The victim, Kaylie Smith, has been described as resilient and strong by her family. For immediate assistance in cases of danger or intimate partner violence, individuals are urged to call 911 or seek support from crisis lines and local services.
