EPS probing two recent hate-motivated attacks
Posted February 5, 2021 3:03 pm.
EDMONTON – The EPS is investigating two recent hate-motivated attacks on Muslim women in the city this week.
Around noon on Wednesday, a 19-year-old woman wearing a hijab was waiting inside the University of Alberta Transit Centre when a man approached her.
He made racist comments and became more aggressive. Police say he was posturing as if he was about to assault her, but a transit officer intervened before anything more happened and the suspect left.
The second attack happened later that afternoon, around 1:15, around 100 Street and 82 Avenue.
A 27-year-old Muslim woman wearing a burka was walking down the sidewalk alone when a man ran across the street, stopping in front of her and blocking her path.
Investigators say the man began swearing and yelling insults at the woman before. the suspect left and then came back, coming up behind the woman and pushing her down, threatening to kill her and tear off her burka.
He fled shortly thereafter.
“These recent attacks, in addition to the December attacks at Southgate Mall, all happened in public areas and in daytime, which shows an extremely alarming trend threatening the safety of the Muslim community,” says EPS Sgt. Gary Willits in a release.
Police on the Hate Crimes and Violent Extremism Unit (HCVEU) are reviewing CCTV footage and are treating these as separate incidents.
They are also encouraging people to be vigilant and to call 911 if they witness something like this happening.
If you have any information on either of these events, you’re asked to call EPS or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers.
