Emotions boiled over at a candlelight vigil held in downtown Edmonton Sunday evening for teacher and mother Nadia Atwi. The vigil ended in violence within minutes of starting.
Dozens had turned out for the vigil organized by family members in the 32-year-old’s honour at Churchill Square after loved ones and the community had been searching tirelessly since the woman disappeared more than a week ago.
During one of the speeches, Atwi’s husband confronted a woman who was speaking and threw down his candle and walked away. Moments later, an argument started behind the group that was gathered there.
Mayhem broke out as the group scattered, shouting began and several people screamed in shock as Atwi’s husband, Ali Fneich, was chased into the street by at least one man. People also began shouting accusations and profanity.
“We are here for Nadia!” women screamed in vain as the situation dissolved into chaos.
Fneich ran to a nearby van, which was then swarmed by several people. One man threw a candle, while a woman swung another candle at Fneich, who was being shielded by several other people around the vehicle.
A man approached aggressively with a megaphone to hit someone and there was pushing and shoving.
The situation was loud and chaotic, and the reason for it not immediately clear, with people shouting in several different languages, and dogs barking and whimpering. Someone also began blowing a whistle and a car horn could be heard blaring.
A woman could be heard yelling, “This is over, go home” in an attempt to try to diffuse the situation, which from start to finish lasted about four or five minutes.
Edmonton police and EMS responded to the scene shortly after, where officers were seen speaking to people. One woman was seen walking with paramedics to an ambulance. Officers said one person was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Fneich, holding his child in his arms, spoke to the media after things calmed down.
“I wanted one of her nearest family to represent her,” Fneich told reporters, saying he got upset because one of the speakers doesn’t get along with his wife.
Fneich said efforts need to concentrate on finding out what happened to his wife.
“That’s where we have to focus and not focus on emotional things anymore,” he said.
Fneich said he wasn’t injured in the altercation. Atwi has bipolar disorder, her husband said, and requires medication. Police said the kindergarten teacher had disappeared from her home in the past but always returned.
When asked if he’s worried someone did something to his wife, Fneich said he has been focusing on his wife’s health and well-being, not making accusations.
READ MORE: Family of missing Edmonton teacher pleads with her to contact them: ‘I hope that you are safe’
Police released more information about Atwi’s disappearance at a news conference on Thursday.
Officers she may be wearing just one or no shoes and that she had no identification on her at the time she was last seen. Police said it was “important to note” that Atwi may or may not be wearing a hijab.
The 32-year-old woman was last seen in the area of 48 Street and 146 Avenue at about 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 8. Police found her car at 2909 113 Avenue at about 12:30 p.m. on the same day.