Man faces charges in hate-motivated attack on the CTrain
Posted Nov 10, 2021 1:53 pm.
Last Updated Nov 10, 2021 1:54 pm.
A man in his 60s has been charged following a threatening and racist incident on the CTrain.
Police say around 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 2, a man berated a young Asian woman for not giving up her seat to a couple who had a child in a stroller at the Chinook Station.
One of the parents sat with their child while the other was standing. The couple insisted they did not need the seat, but the man’s comments escalated to racist and sexual slurs.
The man tried to approach the young woman, but another passenger intervened and prevented him from getting closer. He was told to leave the train at the City Hall station by Calgary Transit staff.
The woman later reported the incident to police.
The 63-year-old man from Calgary is charged with one count each of assault, criminal harassment, causing a disturbance and mischief.
Police say the case is being treated as hate motivated.
“No one should have to fear for their safety when they are out enjoying our city, especially if that fear comes from being targeted because of their race or some other personal characteristic,” said Sergeant Gareth Joels from the Calgary Police Service Hate and Extremism Team.
“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we want this young woman to know that Calgarians are not okay with what happened to her. It shows in the fact that people on the train intervened, and I hope it shows in all the investigative work we have done to try hold the person responsible accountable.”
Police continue to investigate the incident and are asking to speak to the bystander who intervened in the incident.
