Man hurled racial slurs, assaulted woman on downtown Calgary street: police

Calgary policer have since identified the suspect in this case.

An investigation is ongoing.

Police in Calgary are looking for a man they say is responsible for a hate-motivated assault downtown last month.

On Thursday, July 3, around 1:40 p.m., a woman and her family were walking south on 4 Street SW near 10 Avenue SW, when a man they didn’t know starting yelling racial comments at them from across the street.

Investigators say the man then verbally threatened the family as he crossed the street and aggressively approached them.

Trying to protect her family, the woman stepped in front of them to create distance.

She was then physically assaulted by the man, police explain.

The woman’s family called police during the assault, but the suspect left the scene before officers got there.

Police describe the suspect as around 5’8″ tall, with a slim build, light brown hair, and a short beard.

At the time of the assault, he was carrying a grey and black backpack and wearing a red t-shirt, jeans, and black and white sneakers.

Calgary police say any evidence of hate motivation is considered by the courts after a person is found guilty of the connected crime. If the judge decides during sentencing that hate was a motivation for the crime, it’s an aggravating factor that can add to the convicted person’s sentence.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234 or tip anonymously through CrimeStoppers.