Canada: 3 youths charged in hate-motivated attacks
What's the story
Three teenagers have been arrested in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, after a hate-motivated incident on a city bus. The suspects, aged 16 to 19, were charged under the Criminal Code of Canada for offenses motivated by hatred. The incidents took place on November 8 and involved harassment and assault of two different victims aboard Barrie Transit buses.
Incident report
First incident
The first incident occurred around 7:15pm when the suspects harassed a 26-year-old man. They allegedly pushed and slapped him while making derogatory comments. When he sought help from the bus driver, they pushed him off the bus onto the platform.
The second incident took place around 8:30pm involving a 22-year-old man on another city bus.
Assault details
Second incident
In the second incident, one suspect removed the victim's turban and poured beer on him.
When the victim tried to call for help, his phone was thrown on the ground by a suspect.
As he approached the bus driver for assistance, two suspects restrained him while another punched him in the face and upper body.
After these assaults, all three suspects fled in a nearby taxi.
Arrest update
Suspects arrested
Barrie Police officers located the taxi and arrested the three suspects before 9:00pm.
Fortunately, neither victim suffered serious injuries in these incidents.
The suspects, aged 16, 18, and 19, have been charged with Offence Motivated by Hatred under Canada's Criminal Code.
Their identities have not been released as one of them is a minor.
Community response
Hindu-Sikh Unity Forum reacts to the hate crime
The alleged racist hate crime has been condemned by Indo-Canadian organizations such as the Hindu-Sikh Unity Forum.
The forum emphasized that "such acts of hatred, intimidation and violence have no place in Canada."
They also commended Barrie Police Service for charging the suspects and said, "No individual should ever feel threatened, humiliated or unsafe because of their faith, ethnicity, appearance or religious identity."