Calgary man facing assault charges after yelling racial slurs, biting woman: police
Posted Feb 23, 2023 10:03 am.
A Calgary man is facing assault charges in connection with a hate crime after he allegedly bit a woman while “yelling racist slurs” in January, police say.
The alleged incident happened Jan. 13 around 5 p.m., when Calgary police say a woman was waiting at a bus shelter between 8 Street and 9 Street near 17 Avenue SW.
The suspect approached the woman and “slapped her phone out of her hands,” then bit her on the hand, amid racist shouting.
Officers say the man continued to yell at the woman until three people nearby jumped in and helped her to safety. They then called the police.
Investigators arrived and arrested the suspect.
Thirty-six-year-old Michael Grant Williams faces one count of assault and one count of failure to comply with a release order.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their community. There is no place for hate in our city, and we want to thank the bystanders for coming to the aid of the victim,” said Con. Matt Messenger from the Hate Crimes Prevention Unit in a statement.
“We know that hate-motivated incidents are unfortunately under-reported and want to remind all Calgarians to report these incidents so they can be thoroughly investigated and those responsible can be held accountable.”
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Calgary officers remind people that hate-motivated crimes are things like assault, theft, vandalism, or any other crime where the offender was “motivated by bias, prejudice or hate” that is based on nine characteristics of the victim.
In addition, hate-motivated crimes don’t result in further charges but can be considered by the courts if a person is found guilty. Police say if a judge sees hate as a motivation for the crime, it will be factored into the person’s sentence.
Police ask anyone who has been the target of ill-treatment because of hate, even if the incident is not criminal to call them at 403-266-1234 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CityNews has reached out to the Calgary Police Service for comment.
