Ottawa Bagpiper Vows to Return to Streets After Unprovoked Knife Attack
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
Kevin Murison suffered injuries to his hand and instrument during a Saturday assault, but says he will not be silenced.
Kevin Murison, a 35-year-old bagpiper who frequently busks in full Highland attire near the Ottawa Locks and Château Laurier, is determined to reclaim his place on the sidewalk after a violent encounter.
As CBC News first reported, Murison was playing in his usual downtown spot around 4 p.m. on Saturday when a man approached him under the guise of asking for a photo. Murison reported that as he obliged, he realized the man was not holding a camera or phone; instead, the assailant produced a knife. The incident resulted in a 15-centimetre tear in the hide of Murison's bagpipe bag and four stitches in his left thumb.
Ottawa police described the attack as occurring "without provocation." A 25-year-old suspect, who faces charges including assault with a weapon and two counts of breaching probation, remained in custody as of Wednesday, CBC News reports.
Murison, who has played the pipes for 15 years and performs with the Ottawa Caledonian Pipes and Drums, believes his instrument may have been the primary target. While he is currently recovering, he received a new bag from his band and noted a "huge outpouring" of support from the bagpiping community.
Despite the violence, Murison told CBC News he will not be silenced, stating that he intends to return to playing in downtown Ottawa once his finger has healed.