Joshua Briere stabbed to death in 16th homicide of 2016

A 26-year-old man died of his injuries after being stabbed several times on Clyde Avenue early Saturday morning in what Ottawa police are calling a targeted attack.

Police confirmed the man who died is Joshua Briere.

His death marks the 16th homicide of 2016.

Police were called to1098Clyde Ave., near Castle Hill Crescent, around 2:30 a.m., where a man was found critically injured outside the house. He died in hospital.

Ottawa police Staff Sgt.Bruce Pirtsaid the man was known to police.

Police are searching for two suspectsand sweptthe scene for evidence.

"There was some sort of anevent that happened there we don't know if it was related to a party that was going on or if this was just a social gathering of some sort, but something happened," he said Saturday.

"We're trying to piece it together to find out the exact series of events that led to this."

Residents say neighbourhood is quiet

Neighbours who didn't want to be identified told CBC News that two menmoved into the main floor apartment of 1098 Clyde Ave. this summerand that there were cars coming and going at all hours of the day. Another couple lived in the upstairs apartment, according to a neighbour.

Dennis Ketchumlives nearby and said he didn't hear anything Saturday morning. He didn't realize what happeneduntil he saw the police tape and cruisers outside.

"I feel devastated. Nobody likes to see anybody lose their life, especially a young man," saidKetchum, who said he has a son around the same age as Briere.

"It's heartbreaking," he said. "I don't know what happened here ... but it doesn't matter. Ayoung man lost his life and there's no excuse for that whatsoever."

Courtney Brown has lived in the area for eight years and describes theneighbourhood as quiet.

He said he doesn't plan on telling his young children what happened just across the street from their family home.

"They won't really understand much, so I'm not goingto tell them much," said Brown.