He refuses to let the sneak ax attack on his 81-year-old father be forgotten

A man refuses to let the sneaky ax attack on his father last week in Gatineau be forgotten, while the octogenarian’s hours are now numbered due to his serious injuries.

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“I want justice to be done,” says in an interview with The newspaperAlain Lavigne.

His 81-year-old father, Réjean Lavigne, was gardening at the seniors’ residence where he lives when a violent blow from an ax was struck behind his head.

The suspect, Jonathan Lepage-Clément, allegedly tried to attack two other citizens, before being arrested by the police.

The 41-year-old man faces serious charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Everything indicates that Lepage-Clément and the victim had no connection. “My father was in the wrong place, at the wrong time,” agrees Alain Lavigne.

Already dead

Since the attack, Réjean Lavigne’s life has hung by a thread. Saturday evening, he was still supported by an artificial respirator.

“His hours are numbered,” admits his son. For me, my father is dead.”

The octogenarian was, however, until now “in perfect health”, points out Alain Lavigne.

“He had hunting, fishing, golf, his family,” said the 58-year-old. He was a very dedicated man.”

Retired for 25 years from his job at the federal Department of Transport, Réjean Lavigne was heavily involved in volunteering for the Knights of Columbus, a charitable organization.

“He was collecting money for Christmas baskets. In the summer, he did a campaign to help young people play baseball,” illustrates Alain Lavigne.

This father also suffers the tragedy while he is in remission from lung cancer.

“I’m fighting to survive as long as possible for my family and I receive a phone call: ‘Alain, are you seated, I have something to tell you about your father’,” he whispers. .

Out of state of causing trouble

The only Source of relief for Mr. Lavigne is that the suspect in this case was put out of harm’s way, having been seen in the neighborhood shortly before the crime.

“If you see someone roaming around, don’t hesitate to call the police!” exclaims the victim’s son.

Jonathan Lepage-Clément, who is currently detained, is due back in court at the beginning of May.

According to research carried out by The newspaperthe man from Shawinigan, in Mauricie, had trouble with the courts in the early 2010s, for cases of possession of narcotics and driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.