Based on coverage from CBC, CP24, Toronto Sun, and inSauga.
Hamilton police say a 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged after what investigators describe as an unprovoked, hate-motivated assault on a woman in the city’s downtown core.
Police say the incident happened Saturday in the area of Augusta Street. The suspect was arrested at the scene and the case has been referred to the Hamilton Police hate crime unit for further investigation.
Hamilton hate-motivated assault on Augusta Street
Hamilton Police say officers responded to a report of an assault near Augusta Street on Feb. 21.
According to police, a woman was standing on a public street when an “intoxicated” man approached her and began verbally harassing her using derogatory language. Police say there were attempts to de-escalate the interaction, but the situation escalated.
Investigators allege the man struck the woman in the face, knocking off and breaking her glasses. Police say she was then pulled to the ground and kicked.
Charges laid and arrest at scene
Police say the suspect was arrested at the scene.
The 28-year-old man is charged with assault and resisting a peace officer. Police have not released the accused’s name in the material provided, and no additional charges have been announced so far.
Hamilton Police hate crime unit investigating
Hamilton Police say the incident has been referred to their hate crime unit, which will investigate the allegation that the assault was hate-motivated.
In a statement included in the police release, officers said: “Hate has no place in Hamilton,” adding that acts targeting people based on sexual orientation, race, religion, gender identity, or other protected characteristics “will not be tolerated in our community.”
At this stage, police have not publicly specified which protected characteristic may have been targeted in the alleged assault, beyond describing the language used as derogatory and the incident as hate-motivated.
What witnesses can do next in Hamilton
Police are asking anyone with information about what happened to contact Hamilton Police at 905-546-4925.
Anonymous tips can also be provided through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, as police continue their investigation.
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