Edmonton police lay charges in six separate ‘hate-motivated assaults’

Edmonton police have laid charges in connection with incidents they believe were motivated by hate.

Police say six separate incidents involving four suspects took place between Feb. 28 and April 17.

The incidents were investigated by Edmonton police’s hate crimes and violent extremism unit (HCVEU), including reviewing video and photographic evidence.

EPS says hate-motivated crimes are up 77 per cent in comparison with the same period last year.

From January to March 2022, there were 23 hate-motivated crimes. There were 13 across that same three-month span in 2021.

NEW:

Edmonton police lay charges in SIX assaults/crimes they believe are hate-motivated.

Hate-motivated crimes in Edmonton through Q1 are up 76% year over year (13 up to 23).https://t.co/T483aFiikB#yeg #yegcc #yegcrime

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) May 4, 2022

Assault at Southgate LRT

A 34-year-old Edmonton man was charged with two counts of assault in relation to an incident that took place on the evening of Feb. 28 at the Southgate LRT station.

A South Asian man wearing a turban was waiting on the platform when the accused reportedly spat at him and made racial comments. The accused later threatened to punch the man as he called police.

Police say the two were unknown to each other.

Assault at north Edmonton drive-thru

A few days later, on March 1, police say a 17-year-old – who cannot be named – spat and made racial comments at a Black and a Southeast Asian staff member at a north Edmonton drive-thru.

The boy was charged with two counts of assault.

Assault involving fake weapon

A 39-year-old – who has since passed away – was charged with multiple offences, including criminal harassment, assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

Police say that incident took place on April 2 when the accused reportedly uttered racial slurs at a Black woman and a white man walking with their infant in a stroller in the McCauley area.

The accused reportedly pointed a replica firearm at the couple. The couple fled the area.

Three assaults across four days

A 46-year-old man was charged with assault, assault with a weapon, criminal harassment, possession of an offensive weapon and one breach of condition in relation to three incidents.

On April 14, the accused reportedly walked up to a Black man on 118 Avenue, swore at him and punched him.

Three days later, the accused allegedly pushed another Black man to the ground, punched and kicked him. Police say passers-by chased him away.

Later on April 17, the same accused allegedly struck a Black man on the head with a pipe, before being arrested shortly after.